In Valencia, Spain, the Copa del Rey matches featuring both Valencia and Levante have been postponed due to severe flooding that has led to over 60 fatalities and widespread chaos in the southern parts of the country.
The flash floods that occurred on Tuesday have wreaked havoc by sweeping away vehicles, transforming village streets into torrents, and disrupting transportation routes, marking one of the most significant natural disasters to strike the nation in recent years.
Numerous sports personalities, including well-known soccer players such as Vinícius Júnior, Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos, Diego Simeone, and Thibaut Courtois, have quickly taken to social media to express their condolences and offer support.
For instance, Real Madrid released a statement expressing their deep sadness and solidarity with those affected, extending their full support and sympathy to the victims of this disaster.
On Wednesday, both Madrid and Barcelona observed a moment of silence before commencing their training sessions to honor those impacted by the calamity.
Valencia was originally scheduled to compete against Parla Escuela in the opening round of the Copa del Rey, while Levante was set to face Pontevedra.
There’s a possibility that other Copa matches in the midweek could face cancellations, including the league showdown between Valencia and Madrid, which may also be rescheduled.
Additionally, the upcoming MotoGP event in Valencia could become uncertain in light of reports detailing significant damage inflicted on the Circuito Ricardo Tormo due to the floods.
Other basketball games across the region are also experiencing rescheduling as travel disruptions continue to affect various parts of Spain.
The torrential rainstorms have resulted in extensive flooding across a broad area stretching from Malaga to Valencia.
In numerous locations, floodwaters, tinted with mud, have swept vehicles along at alarming speeds. Items such as wood and household goods have been observed swirling in the flooded waters.
Emergency services, including police and rescue teams, have utilized helicopters to rescue individuals from their homes and deployed rubber boats to assist drivers stranded on the rooftops of their vehicles.