Tribute to flood victims

The Cabildo and the Ayuntamientos of Arrecife and Haría observed official silences yesterday in support of the victims of flash floods in Spain’s Valencia region.

At least 95 people have died in the floods, with more casualties expected to be announced. The floods followed extremely heavy rainfall, and more downpours are forecast for today.

Questions have arisen about whether the warning system in Valencia functioned properly. Although a red warning was issued by the Spanish meteorological agency AEMET well before the storms, the regional response seems to have been much slower.