More flooding hits Spain as at least 217 people confirmed dead | BBC News

Summary

Heavy rains have caused devastating flooding across Spain, particularly in Barcelona and Valencia. Barcelona’s main airport and motorways have been submerged, while Valencia continues its desperate search for missing people, especially children, after the floods. Amid the destruction, many families are taking matters into their own hands to search for loved ones. One heartbreaking story details the loss of two young brothers, swept away by the floodwaters along with their father. In the wake of the tragedy, frustration grows over a lack of information from authorities as the region remains on high alert for further rain and flooding.

Takeaways

• 😀 Extreme rainfall is causing severe flooding in Spain, particularly in Barcelona and Valencia.
• 😀 Parts of Barcelona, including its main airport and motorways, are underwater after heavy rainfall.
• 😀 The flooding in Valencia has already caused at least 200 deaths, with ongoing rescue efforts to find missing people.
• 😀 Families in Valencia are increasingly taking matters into their own hands, searching for missing loved ones due to frustration with official efforts.
• 😀 An Instagram page has been set up to help find missing people, serving as both a tribute and a plea for assistance.
• 😀 The flooding caused significant destruction, with even trucks being swept away by the powerful waters.
• 😀 One family tragically lost two young boys and their father when floodwaters swept away their home, with the father later describing the power of the water as 'incredible.'
• 😀 In Valencia's largest shopping center, many families were trapped when floodwaters inundated an underground car park, with fears that some may still be trapped.
• 😀 Spanish authorities are withholding information about the potential fatalities, which has caused anger and frustration among the public.
• 😀 In Barcelona, the situation worsens with new floods, leading to canceled trains and planes, and a growing sense of abandonment among the affected communities.

Q & A

What is the main cause of the flooding in Spain as described in the script?

The flooding is caused by extremely heavy rain, which has led to severe flooding in areas like Valencia and Barcelona.

How has the flooding affected Barcelona specifically?

In Barcelona, the flooding has caused waters to enter parts of the main airport, and several motorways have been flooded.

What tragic event occurred in Valencia as a result of the flooding?

The floods in Valencia have killed at least 200 people, and rescue efforts are still ongoing.

How are the rescue operations in Valencia progressing?

Rescue teams continue to search through underground car parks in Valencia for missing people, but many families have started searching on their own.

What role is social media playing in the search for missing people?

An Instagram page has been created by families of the missing, both as a tribute and a plea for help to locate their loved ones.

What happened to the family of the two missing boys, Ian and Ruben?

The two boys and their father were swept away by the floodwaters, which destroyed their home. The father managed to hold onto the boys but later realized they were gone.

How did the floodwaters impact the community where the missing boys lived?

The floodwaters were so powerful that they picked up trucks and destroyed homes, including the home of the missing boys' family.

What has been the public reaction to the lack of information from authorities?

Many Spaniards are furious about the lack of information regarding the missing people and the ongoing rescue operations.

What specific concern do people have regarding Valencia's largest shopping center?

There are fears that some families who were trapped in the shopping center's underground car park may have died, as dozens of empty cars have been retrieved but others remain unaccounted for.

What is the current state of the weather in Barcelona as the situation continues?

Barcelona remains under a red alert for torrential rain, exacerbating the ongoing misery caused by the previous flooding.