SEDAVI, Spain — Francisco Murgui ventured out to rescue his motorbike as floodwaters began to rise.
Unfortunately, he never returned home.
One week following the devastating floods that hit eastern Spain, María Murgui continues to hope for news regarding her father, who is among the many individuals still unaccounted for.
“He was like many others in the community who sought to secure their vehicles,” the 27-year-old recounted. “The flash flood caught him off guard, and he had to grab hold of a tree to survive. He managed to call us and reassure us that he was safe and we shouldn’t worry.”
However, when María ventured out in search of him through the inundated streets of Sedaví, she could not find him.
“He held on until 1 AM,” she shared. “By 2, I joined a neighbor with a rope to help find him, but we had no success. We haven’t heard anything from him since.”
At least 218 people have already been reported dead following the heavy downpour that began late on October 29 and continued into the following morning, which caused widespread flooding, particularly in the Valencia region of Spain—catching many residents by surprise.
The local authorities have faced significant criticism for sending emergency alerts to mobile phones approximately two hours after the onset of the disaster.
A week later, no assessment of the missing individuals has been provided by officials, though Spanish state broadcaster RTVE features numerous appeals from those searching for missing loved ones.
María has taken to social media to share a missing person’s post, complete with a photo of her father, who is 57 years old and retired.
“This feels like a rollercoaster,” she expressed. “Some moments are overwhelming, while others feel a bit better. I’m trying to remain hopeful.” She added, “This is pure chaos. We’re uncertain of what steps to take next, and it appears no one else in the community has answers either.”
As families continue to search for their loved ones, significant recovery operations in Sedaví and over 60 other impacted communities are gradually unfolding.
The aftermath of the flooding resembles a post-apocalyptic scenario.
Streets in numerous towns remain blanketed with thick, muddy debris, heaps of destroyed belongings, rotting vegetation, and mangled vehicles, all giving rise to a foul odor.
In many areas, residents are struggling to acquire basic necessities, leading to long lines at makeshift kitchens and food distribution points. Though water service has been restored, authorities have advised that it remains unsafe for drinking.
The ground floors of countless homes have suffered extensive damage, and there are concerns that some of the vehicles swept away by the floods, or those trapped in underground garages, may contain individuals needing recovery.
Thousands of soldiers are collaborating with firefighters and law enforcement in the large-scale emergency response, searching through devastated homes and the multitude of vehicles scattered across highways and embedded in the mud.
Authorities are also concerned about potential health issues arising from the aftermath of Spain’s deadliest natural disaster in recent memory. Residents have been encouraged to obtain tetanus vaccinations and treat any wounds promptly to avoid infections. Many are seen wearing face masks.
Volunteers have stepped in to assist where the government’s resources fell short; however, frustration over the management of the crisis peaked on Sunday when a crowd in severely affected Paiporta directed mud and debris at Spanish royals, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and regional officials during their initial visit to the site of devastation.
On Tuesday, Sánchez’s government is expected to announce a new relief package to assist those impacted by the flooding.
