Spain has sent 500 more soldiers to help search for dozens of people still missing after devastating floods. 158 people died in the disaster, AFP reported.
The floods, which swept away cars, collapsed bridges and covered towns in mud, are the deadliest such disaster in the country in decades. Almost all the dead were in the eastern region of Valencia.
Rescuers equipped with drones and sniffer dogs waded through the water and searched through debris in an increasingly desperate search for "dozens" of people who authorities said were still missing.
The government has sent an additional 500 troops to flooded areas to support the 1,200 colleagues already on the ground for search, rescue and logistical tasks.
Three days after the floods began, some isolated areas are still without water, food and electricity. Many roads and railways remain inaccessible, raising fears that the number of casualties will rise.
"In the industrial zone, there are still piles of cars, mountains and mountains of cars," said Amparo Fort, mayor of the city of Chiva.
"Many of them must be empty, but we're sure others are occupied," Fort added.
According to the national meteorological service AEMET, 491 mm of rain fell in just eight hours on Tuesday in the town west of Valencia - almost as much as in an entire year. | BGNES
