Spanish communities grapple with deadly aftermath of historic floods

In the regions of Valencia, Castile-La Mancha, and Andalusia, efforts to mitigate the effects of the flash floods are still in progress. In just a few hours, water accumulation was so significant that many Spaniards found themselves trapped in their homes and cars, which were often swept away by the torrents flowing through the streets.

The shock of the Spanish authorities and emergency services at the event's suddenness is evident in the state of the cities and the continued search for those missing. The memory of the more than 223 victims will undoubtedly endure, with the numbers continuing to rise even a week after the flood.

On Friday, Spanish authorities confirmed four additional deaths related to the flooding in Valencia. This adds to the tragic news from this autonomous community, which faced the worst disaster. Valencia accounts for 215 of the 223 recorded flood deaths nationwide. Meanwhile, more than 100 people remain missing, according to reports from the country's authorities.

It's like looking for a needle in a massive haystack, wrote the Spanish daily "El Mundo" regarding the search for the missing.

The search efforts are indeed extremely challenging. Rescue teams must scour beaches, river mouths, and the area surrounding Lake Albufera. Hundreds of people, along with specially trained dogs, are involved in the search efforts. Helicopters frequently conduct aerial patrols.

According to the AP agency a research vessel typically used for studying marine ecosystems will also be participating in the search. The crew's task will be to search the sea floor for more victims.