Garages turned into death traps: Looks like a war zone

Valencia
Panic screams from inside the nursing home: "A tragedy"

Emil Forsberg

Published 18.48

Pablo, 24, says that there are many who cannot find their family members. Photo: Krister Hansson

VALENCIA. The garages turned into death traps as the water rushed forward.

Screams could be heard from the nursing home before it finally fell silent.

Paiporta is the center of storm Dana's brutal rampage.

- There are many who cannot find their family members, says 24-year-old Pablo.

- It looks like a war zone. I'm absolutely sure that no other city in Europe has experienced anything like it, says 30-year-old Daniel from Valencia.

He is one of many who made the pilgrimage to Paiporta to help clear away the thick mud that blanketed the town after Storm Dana moved in on Tuesday.

Over 62 people in the area have been confirmed dead. Many were trapped in the garages as they tried to get to their cars and flee the area.

- The garages for the houses are the absolute worst. Many missing persons have been found there. Right now we have 60 dead, but in a week there will be many more. Because those we will find are no longer alive, says Daniel.

A wheelchair outside of a building in Valencia. Photo: Krister Hansson

Panic in the dining room

The people who live at the local nursing home on the outskirts of town did not survive the disaster either. A video circulating on social media shows the elderly in their wheelchairs screaming in panic as water gushes into the dining room.

Six people died in the chaos that ensued.

- It is a tragedy. There are many old people who live here. Now they have no electricity and no elevators so they can't get out of their houses. They also can't buy anything at the shops because people broke in and stole everything. We try to help them as best we can and throw food up to their balconies, says David.

Daniel, 30, says it looks like a war zone. Photo: Krister Hansson

Photo: Krister Hansson

Anger at the authorities

Sirens sound across the city as the search for missing persons continues.

24-year-old Pablo tries to help as best he can by assisting the affected with what is needed.

- It is absolutely incredible. There are so many who cannot find their family members anymore, he says.

At the same time, anger is directed at the authorities' decision not to send more resources to assist in the search.

- Consider that there are 100,000 soldiers in Spain and only 300 are here. What are they waiting for? Bring them all here.

Photo: Krister Hansson