(Adnkronos) – In a message to King Felipe VI, Italy’s president Sergio Mattarella has expressed “deep concern and great sorrow” at the devastating flash flooding that has raged through southeast Spain in recent days, killing at least 62 people.
“I have been following with deep concern and great sorrow the news about the violent floods that have hit Valencia and the surrounding area in recent hours, causing numerous deaths and enormous damage,” rad the statement.
“Our thoughts are with the missing and their families, as well as with the rescue teams working tirelessly in particularly difficult conditions,” the statement continued.
“At a time of such grave mourning for our friends the Spanish people, I wish to convey to Your Majesty and the relatives of the victims the most sincere condolences of all Italians and my personal solidarity.”
Much of Spain has been badly hit by heavy rain and hailstorms and the national weather service has warned that storms could bring a further 80-100 mm of rain in the next 12 hours.
In a brief news conference on Wednesday, King Felipe spoke of his “devastation and concern” over the flash flooding.
The monarch described “enormous destruction” to infrastructure and said there was still difficulty accessing some flood-hit areas.
