Missing UK couple found dead in Spain floods as death toll hits 200 after wall of water swept away homes
by Natalia Penza, Liam Doyle · ChronicleLiveA British couple, previously reported missing, have been found dead following the devastating floods in Spain that have claimed over 200 lives. The tragic news was confirmed yesterday by Mayor Andoni Leon, who stated that local volunteers discovered the bodies of the elderly pair near Pedralba, a small town located a 45-minute drive north-west of Valencia, where they resided.
The mayor also revealed that the remains of a Spanish man were recovered during a town hall-led search for those still unaccounted for after last Tuesday's deadly floods, as no external aid had yet arrived. The death toll of British nationals in the flooding has now risen to three.
Last week, it was disclosed that a 71 year old Briton died in hospital after being rescued from his flooded home on the outskirts of Alhaurin de la Torre, near Malaga. His nationality was confirmed by Regional President Juanma Moreno during a visit to one of the areas near Malaga most severely impacted by the floods.
The unnamed Brit was rescued last Tuesday by firefighters after his partner alerted authorities due to his apparent heart attack and hypothermia symptoms. Initially stabilised at Guadalhorce Hospital, he was later transferred to a hospital in Malaga where he passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning due to multiple organ failure.
The bodies of a British couple were tragically discovered in the remains of their home. The find occurred on Saturday, but it wasn't until yesterday that their nationalities were confirmed by the local mayor, reports the Mirror.
A Spaniard, 44 year old Francisco Quesada, was also found deceased. His neighbour, Ruth Rodriguez, who located him after he vanished shortly after sending her videos of the flooded River Turia near his house, told the press: "No-one from any of the security forces found him, it was us removing mud and debris."
Pedralba's mayor, Mr Leon, lamented the lack of support, saying: "We haven't received any help. Thanks to all the volunteers that are arriving we are becoming almost auto-sufficient."
Military Emergencies Unit UME personnel arrived in the town, which is still without drinking water, yesterday afternoon following the mayor's comments.
He also mentioned that "one or two more people were still missing."
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