In Málaga’s Héroe de Sostoa, a street swept by floodwaters and strewn with floating debris, residents witnessed an act of bravery during the city’s turbulent encounter with torrential rain on Wednesday.
The torrential downpour turned parts of the city into makeshift rivers. Meanwhile, a woman found herself paralysed by fear, standing helplessly in the rising water, her blue umbrella the only sign of her presence amid the floating containers, mattresses, and vehicles.
Braving rising floodwaters
The dramatic rescue occurred in front of the Alaska petrol station, an area severely affected by the storm’s impact. Onlookers from nearby balconies and windows tried to coax the woman into moving to safety. However, she was visibly in shock, unable to take even a single step. It was then that a migrant, affiliated with the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR), stepped forward, summoned by the calls of anxious residents for assistance. According to consulted sources, the young man is a resident of the area. Several locals have confirmed to newspaper El Español that he spent the morning helping as many people as he could, always with a smile. Among those he assisted was this woman.
Una de las imágenes del día en #Málaga.
Un vecino rescata a una anciana paralizada ante las inundaciones en Héroes de Sostoa.
Gracias a quienes, ante la adversidad, ayudan a sus vecinos y vecinas. Sois orgullo para la ciudad.
🙏Precaución!
Nadie se salva solo.#DanaMálaga pic.twitter.com/IxK1XJYFh0
— Nico Sguiglia (@NicoSguiglia) November 13, 2024
Cheers of gratitude
Without hesitation, the man waded through the water to reach her, lifting her into his arms and carrying her to higher ground, where she would be safe from the rising floodwaters. As he reached the dry pavement, applause and cheers erupted from those who had watched the scene unfold from nearby buildings. Some were exclaiming, “What a hero, brother!” Héroe de Sostoa, a street named in tribute to bravery, now has a ‘new hero’ in the eyes of many.
Flooded city
The rescue was one of many harrowing scenes across Málaga, which was left reeling from the effects of a powerful DANA (Isolated Depression at High Levels). Over 155 litres of rain per square metre fell in the region, flooding areas including the Avenida de Andalucía and the Huelin neighbourhood. With streets submerged and significant property damage, Málaga entered a state of alert, particularly in Axarquía, where rain intensified into the evening.
City cleans and rebuilds
As the storm subsided on Thursday morning, Málaga’s residents were met with a cautious calm. Despite the floods and the damage, the accumulated rain has provided a much-needed boost to the province’s water reserves. The optimism of replenished reservoirs follows a day of devastation. Furthermore, it highlights the resilience and solidarity of Málaga’s community – especially embodied by its ‘new hero’ of Héroe de Sostoa.
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