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Spain Floods Leave 217 Dead as Social Media Accounts Help Search for the Missing
In the aftermath of deadly flash floods that swept through eastern Spain, over 217 people have been confirmed dead, and many remain unaccounted for as rescue and recovery efforts intensify. Among the hardest-hit areas are the regions surrounding Valencia, where families continue to seek loved ones who disappeared amid the devastation. Social media, specifically a page called DANA Desaparecidos, has become a vital tool for the public to share images and information about those still missing.
Photos shared on DANA Desaparecidos capture what were once happy moments: a father with his children, family pets, and teenagers posing for selfies. Now, each image represents a plea for help as desperate families post about loved ones who vanished when floodwaters surged through towns and cut off entire communities. While the Spanish government has set up a hotline for reporting missing persons, it has been overwhelmed by the volume of calls, leaving many to rely on platforms like DANA Desaparecidos to disseminate details.
One of the recent posts shows a photo of a woman identified as Mila, last seen leaving the town of Picanya. Another is of a family pet missing since the floods hit. The page, created by Alba Lozano Asencio and her boyfriend Luciano Esguerra, has led to the recovery of around 30 people and numerous pets so far. When someone is found, a post labeled “Localizado” (located) is shared, providing a rare glimmer of hope amid the tragedy. Now, the page is also receiving requests for help with flood cleanup as communities begin the slow path to recovery.
Royal Visit Sparks Outrage Amid Frustrations Over Crisis Response
The Spanish government’s response has faced mounting criticism, with some residents expressing frustration at what they describe as a slow and disorganized effort. This frustration boiled over during a recent visit by King Felipe and Queen Letizia to Paiporta, one of the areas hardest hit by the floods. Crowds reportedly shouted “murderers” and threw mud as the royals arrived, with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also facing backlash before being whisked away by security.
In response to the growing anger, the government announced it would deploy an additional 2,500 troops to assist with relief efforts in the affected regions. This is in addition to the 5,000 soldiers already sent to distribute food, assist with cleanup, and protect local stores from looting. Defense Minister Margarita Robles emphasized that the government is committed to addressing residents’ needs during this crisis.
Volunteers Step Up as Weather Warnings Persist
Despite the government deployment, thousands of volunteers from across Spain have also joined relief efforts, with many traveling on foot through mud and debris to reach affected areas. “Frustrating is the word,” said Francisco Bosque, one volunteer. “You feel completely powerless. All you can do is come here and show up.” Another volunteer, 18-year-old Pedro de Juan, echoed this sentiment, adding, “The military and police are helping, but not as much as we hoped.”
The threat from the weather is not yet over. Spain’s national meteorological agency AEMET has issued additional alerts for heavy rain in Barcelona and the provinces of Castellon, Valencia, and Alicante, warning that more sudden flooding could impact already devastated areas. Early Monday morning, Barcelona’s El Prat Airport reported major disruptions, with 50 flights canceled and more than a dozen others diverted due to flooding on the premises. Video footage circulating on social media showed water flooding parts of the airport terminal, with passengers wading through inches of water.
As rescue and recovery efforts continue, residents and authorities remain on high alert for further storms, navigating a balance between ongoing relief work and precautions for more potential floods in the coming days.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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