Lorraine Williamson
Severe storms battered parts of Aragón on Friday night, leaving behind a trail of destruction across Zaragoza and Teruel provinces. The village of Vinaceite was completely cut off when a section of a key bridge collapsed. Meanwhile, flash floods forced dramatic rescue operations in several other communities.
In Vinaceite, a crucial stretch of the TE-V-1703 bridge, which connects the village to Belchite and links to the A-1307, collapsed under the force of torrential rains. With this route severed, Vinaceite has become isolated, prompting urgent efforts to secure an alternative access route.
The deluge struck overnight from Friday into Saturday, dumping enormous volumes of rain within a short period. Rivers quickly overflowed, submerging streets, homes, and farmlands across Campo de Belchite and Bajo Martín. The damage has been described as some of the worst in recent memory for the region.
Dozens rescued in life-threatening conditions
In several villages, rescue operations unfolded throughout the night. In Letux, six people were saved from flooded homes, while in Azuara, search teams located missing residents after midnight. Among them was one person who had climbed onto the roof of a sports hall to escape rising waters.
Fire crews also evacuated four medical staff trapped inside a local health centre. They used inflatable boats to navigate through the floodwaters. According to emergency services, water levels in some buildings reached the ceilings, posing extreme danger to those inside.
Massive cleanup and urgent repairs underway
By Sunday, extensive cleanup efforts were in full swing across the hardest-hit areas, including Azuara, Letux, and Almonacid de la Cuba. Teams of firefighters, SARGA personnel, and local volunteers worked tirelessly to clear thick mud, pump water from basements, and reopen access to isolated homes and agricultural land.
In Vinaceite, volunteers assisted a local farmer in recovering calves that had escaped during the chaos. Meanwhile, damage to vital infrastructure is proving another major challenge. “The electrical systems controlling the water supply have been torn out,” confirmed Vinaceite’s mayor, Juste. Technicians from the Instituto Aragonés del Agua are racing to restore drinking water to the affected communities.
Road closures compound the crisis
In addition to the collapsed bridge, multiple roads remain impassable. The A-1506 between Herrera de los Navarros and Villar, the A-2306 near Azuara, and several sections of the A-222 have all been closed due to storm damage. Temporary alternative routes are being established to maintain limited access.
Disaster zone status requested
The regional government of Aragón has now formally requested disaster zone status for the affected areas—a designation that would unlock faster access to financial aid and resources. Speaking on Sunday, Aragón’s Vice President, Mar Vaquero, stressed that restoring essential services, such as electricity, drinking water, and communications, remains the immediate priority.
As cleanup operations continue, residents face an uncertain road to recovery while authorities assess the full extent of the damage left by the storm. To check road conditions, click here.