The Death Toll Of The Spanish Valencia Flash Flood Is Now 72 People

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez when giving a statement regarding the Valencia/screenshot flash flood via X @sandezcastejon

JAKARTA - The death toll from the deadliest flash floods in 3 decades in Valencia, Spain, increased to 72 people.

Meteorologists say it rained in eight hours in parts of Valencia on Tuesday, October 29, causing orange floods to sink agricultural land in an area that produces two-thirds of the oranges grown in Spain, a leading global exporter.

Residents at the most affected locations describe how they see people climbing onto the roofs of their cars as brown water flows through the streets, overthrowing trees and dragging boulders from buildings.

It's a flowing river,' said resident Denis Hlavaty.

"The door was torn down and I spent the night there, surrounded by water 2 meters deep," he continued.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez promised to rebuild the destroyed infrastructure

"For those who are currently still looking for their loved ones, all of Spain is crying with you," Sanchez said.

Footage taken by emergency services from helicopters showed bridges collapsing and cars and trucks piled up on highways between flooded fields outside the city of Valencia.