A woman has been rescued after spending 72 hours trapped in her car in an underpass following the devastating floods in Spain. The car was among scores swept up by the torrential waters that surged through the Valencia region. Martín Pérez, head of Valencia’s civil protection service, announced the rescue to volunteers on Saturday, prompting applause.
According to Pérez, the woman’s car was swept into an underpass in Benetússer, where it became buried under a pile of other vehicles. Emergency services heard cries of “Doctor, doctor” coming from the mound of cars on Friday. After hours of clearing debris, rescuers freed the woman, who was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.
Spanish media described the rescue as a “miracle” amid the disaster, which has claimed at least 217 lives. The number of missing remains unknown. In the town of Albal, a man climbed out of his car as it was swept onto the pavement and clung to a building ledge. Neighbours threw down sheets and hoisted him to safety.
In Paiporta, where nearly a third of the deaths have been reported, English teacher Daniel Burguet rescued three children and two colleagues from his flooded academy. As waters rose rapidly, he smashed a glass door with a table leg and escorted the group to safety. “The only thing I was thinking about was my survival and saving the people inside,” he said.
