A “Climatic Apocalypse” Strikes Hundreds in Valencia, Spain by carlos matías
A “tsunami” has swept through Spain, especially the Valencian Community, home to nearly 160,000 Latinos of all nationalities. Sol de Medianoche has spoken to some of them about the tragedy, which has caused more than 200 deaths, although is expected that the death toll will be much higher. It is the biggest natural catastrophe in the history of this Southern European country.
More than 10% of the Latinos in Spain live in the Valencian Community, whose towns and cities were destroyed by a flood of 630 liters per square meter in two hours, plus 450 liters per square meter in 24 hours non-stop. The water caused gigantic waves, a “tsunami” that swept away houses, almost entire villages, cars and trucks, stores, industries, roads, infrastructures...
Emilio de la Peña, promoter and organizer of the 4D Immersive Exhibition “Feel the World / Discover Mexico,” which has been triumphing in Valencia for four months (more than ten thousand visitors already) is a Mexican from Campeche, Yucatan, and has been living in Valencia since January. Yucatan has experienced many hurricanes, such as Isidoro, which claimed 14 lives. “But I have never experienced a tragedy like this one. In Yucatan we know what to do in the face of inclement weather, but in Spain they are not used to it. The chaos is total.”
Roxana Acosta, a Mexican from Mexico City, is a victim of the “tsunami”. She lives in Paiporta, the “ground zero” of the tragedy. She traveled to Paiporta from Mexico nine years ago. She lives on the second floor and the water did not reach her, so she has not suffered any family losses. But she has suffered material losses, such as her car. “I have a four-year-old girl, and I try not to let her know about the tragedy. I have seen my neighbors die. I have acquaintances and friends who are missing. We lack drinking water and the water that can’t be drank is used for the bathroom. There is a lack of food, money, clothes... Aid does not even reach the most basic needs.”
The conversation with Roxana suffered phone interruptions. Internet communications fail, because the telecommunications antennas are broken. There are also power interruptions. Roxana works as a travel agent and hopes to work from home when the Internet is restored.
Jasmine Lara is Honduran. She has lived in Valencia for 15 years and is co-owner of EL HUEY restaurant in Torrent, another location at “ground zero” of the tragedy. EL HUEY is one of the best Mexican restaurants in the region.
Jasmine was driving to work at the restaurant when she was caught in the flood. She tried to get to safety and had to drive over cars piled up like scrap metal on her way. It took her two days to get home.
