Lorraine Williamson
Two women have died and five people have been injured after a violent flash flood swept through Manzanedo de Valdueza, near Ponferrada in León province, on Saturday evening.
The Castilla y León emergency service confirmed that Sacyl medical teams attended and transferred five injured people following the disaster, which triggered a major emergency operation shortly after 7.30pm.
The injured have now been reported as a three-month-old baby, a four-year-old child and three adults. The two children suffered minor injuries, while the adults were also taken for medical attention.
The two women who died were caught by the sudden torrent when water, mud and debris reached a bodega in the village. The victims have been reported as being around 60 and 80 years old.
An elderly man who was initially reported missing was subsequently found unharmed. No further people are currently reported missing.
Roads remain closed after Saturday’s storms
The effects of the severe weather extend beyond Manzanedo de Valdueza. Several roads in the municipality of Ponferrada remained closed on Sunday morning because of flooding, mud and landslides.
The affected routes include the road to Carracedo de Compludo, the road to Peñalba de Santiago and the access to Manzanedo de Valdueza. Nine residents were reported to have been left temporarily cut off at Carracedo de Compludo after a landslide blocked the road. Municipal police have been controlling access while public works crews work to clear the affected routes.
Nearby Bouzas was also badly affected. The force of the water swept several vehicles away, although no casualties were reported there.
Ponferrada declares three days of mourning
Ponferrada City Council has declared three days of official mourning following the deaths of the two women. A minute’s silence will also be held outside Ponferrada Town Hall at 12 noon on Monday, 17 August in memory of the two women.
The mayor of Ponferrada, Marco Morala, has said the circumstances that allowed the storm to produce such a powerful flow of water will need to be examined.
There has been local speculation that the condition of the surrounding mountainside following previous wildfires may have contributed to the severity of the runoff. However, no official investigation has yet established that connection, and the cause of the unusually destructive flow should not be assumed until authorities have completed their assessment.
The immediate focus on Sunday remains on clearing roads, restoring access to the affected villages and supporting those caught up in the disaster.