Spain searches for bodies after flood of the century claims at least 95 lives

Spain searches for bodies after flood of the century claims at least 95 lives
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A resident walks next to piled up cars following floods in Valencia’s De La Torre neighborhood, eastern Spain, on October 30, 2024. (AFP)
Spain searches for bodies after flood of the century claims at least 95 lives
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Residents walk in a street covered in mud following floods in Valencia’s De La Torre neighborhood, eastern Spain, on October 30, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 31 October 2024
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Spain searches for bodies after flood of the century claims at least 95 lives

Spain searches for bodies after flood of the century claims at least 95 lives
  • Thousands of people were left without water and electricity and hundreds were stranded after their cars were wrecked or roads were blocked

BARRIO DE LA TORRE: Survivors of the worst natural disaster to hit Spain this century awoke to scenes of devastation on Thursday after villages were wiped out by monstrous flash floods that claimed at least 95 lives. The death toll could rise as search efforts continue with an unknown number of people still missing.
The aftermath looked eerily similar to the damage left by a strong hurricane or tsunami.
Wrecked vehicles, tree branches, downed power lines and household items all mired in a layer of mud covered the streets of Barrio de la Torre, just one of dozens of towns in the hard-hit region of Valencia, where 92 people died between late Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Walls of rushing water turned narrow streets into death traps and spawned rivers that ripped into the ground floors of homes and swept away cars, people and anything else in its path.
“The neighborhood is destroyed, all the cars are on top of each other, it’s literally smashed up,” said Christian Viena, a bar owner in Barrio de la Torre.
Regional authorities said late Wednesday it appeared there was no one left stranded on rooftops or in cars in need of rescue after helicopters had saved some 70 people. But ground crews and citizens continued to inspect vehicles and homes that were damaged by the onslaught of water.
Over a thousand soldiers from Spain’s emergency rescue units joined regional and local emergency workers in the search for bodies and survivors. The defense minister said that soldiers alone had recovered 22 bodies and rescued 110 people by Wednesday night.
“We are searching house by house,” Ángel Martínez, official of a military emergency unit, told Spain’s national radio broadcaster RNE on Thursday from the town of Utiel, where at least six people died.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is heading to the region to witness the destruction firsthand as the nation starts a three-day period of official mourning.
Thousands of people were left without water and electricity and hundreds were stranded after their cars were wrecked or roads were blocked. The region remained partly isolated with several roads cut off and train lines interrupted, including the high-speed service to Madrid, which officials say won’t be repaired for several days.
While Valencia took the brunt of the storm, another two casualties were reported in the neighboring Castilla La Mancha region. Southern Andalusia reported one death.
The relative calm of the day after has also given time to reflect and question if authorities could have done more to save lives. The regional government is being criticized for not sending out flood warnings to people’s mobile phones until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, when the flooding had already started in some parts.
Spain’s Mediterranean coast is used to autumn storms that can cause flooding. But this was the most powerful flash flood event in recent memory. Scientists link it to climate change, which is also behind increasingly high temperatures and droughts in Spain and the heating up of the Mediterranean Sea.


Hundreds of thousands in Ireland and UK left without power as Storm Darragh batters the region

Hundreds of thousands in Ireland and UK left without power as Storm Darragh batters the region
Updated 07 December 2024
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Hundreds of thousands in Ireland and UK left without power as Storm Darragh batters the region

Hundreds of thousands in Ireland and UK left without power as Storm Darragh batters the region
  • Officials sent a rare emergency alert by phone to about 3 million households
  • Major highways and bridges across the country were closed

LONDON: Hundreds of thousands of people in Britain and Ireland were left without power and millions were warned to stay indoors Saturday as high winds and heavy rain battered the region.
Gusts of up to 93 miles per hour were recorded as officials sent a rare emergency alert by phone to about 3 million households in Wales and southwest England early Saturday.
The official alert, which came with a loud siren-like sound, warned people to stay indoors and was sent to every compatible mobile phone in the areas impacted by Storm Darragh.
On Friday the UK’s weather forecasters, the Met Office, issued a red weather warning — the most serious type. Thousands of homes, many in Northern Ireland, Wales and western England, were left without power overnight.
Major highways and bridges across the country were closed because of strong winds, and multiple train services were suspended.
In Ireland, almost 400,000 homes, farms or businesses were without power as a result of the storm. Some flights at Dublin Airport were canceled.


South Korea’s Yoon survives impeachment after his party boycotts vote

South Korea’s Yoon survives impeachment after his party boycotts vote
Updated 07 December 2024
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South Korea’s Yoon survives impeachment after his party boycotts vote

South Korea’s Yoon survives impeachment after his party boycotts vote
  • Yoon Suk Yeol stunned the nation and the international community Tuesday night by suspending civilian rule
  • The probable outcome is likely to enrage crowds demonstrating outside parliament for Yoon’s ouster

SEOUL: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol survived an impeachment motion in the opposition-led parliament on Saturday that was prompted by his short-lived attempt to impose martial law this week, after members of his party boycotted the vote.

Only 195 votes were cast, below the threshold of 200 needed for the vote to count.

“The entire nation is watching the decision being made here at the National Assembly today. World is watching,” National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik said with a sigh. “It’s very unfortunate that there wasn’t even a vote.”

The main opposition Democratic Party has said it will revive the impeachment motion next week if it failed on Saturday.

Yoon shocked the nation late on Tuesday when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers in order to root out what he called “anti-state forces” and overcome obstructionist political opponents. He later rescinded the order.

He apologized to the nation in a speech on Saturday morning but resisted calls to resign ahead of the vote.


Festive spirit in full swing as Filipinos observe world’s longest Christmas season

Festive spirit in full swing as Filipinos observe world’s longest Christmas season
Updated 07 December 2024
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Festive spirit in full swing as Filipinos observe world’s longest Christmas season

Festive spirit in full swing as Filipinos observe world’s longest Christmas season
  • Most Filipinos start celebrating the Christmas spirit in September, some even earlier
  • Blend of Catholic, folk, and Western influences creates a unique holiday season

MANILA: In many parts of the world, the holiday rush has just begun, but for Filipinos, it is already in full swing as they embrace local traditions and the festive spirit of what is known as the world’s longest Christmas season.

Christmas songs begin airing on the radio as early as September and continue through October, November, and December — the so-called “ber months,” a time when the northeast monsoon brings cooler weather.

“As soon as September rolls around, Christmas songs start playing, and the festive spirit begins to take over. Personally, I love it — it’s such a reflection of our celebratory and joyful nature as a culture. Stretching out the season just gives us more time to embrace the happiness and togetherness that Christmas brings,” Noelle Lejano, 24, a writer and brand strategist, told Arab News.

For her, Christmas is a time that brings people together like no other.

“Christmas in the Philippines stands out because it’s not just a day or even a week — it’s a months-long celebration that showcases our strong sense of community and joy,” she said. “The blend of our festive spirit, the warmth of our traditions, and our love for making every moment count makes Christmas in the Philippines truly one-of-a-kind.”

A blend of the country’s deep-rooted Catholic influences, indigenous folk traditions, and adopted Western commercial practices has created a unique holiday season for Filipinos.

Its significance is especially felt in provinces such as Pampanga, about 80 km north of Manila, where the season also marks a surge in livelihood opportunities.

The province is known as a food capital and a hub for lantern makers, with traces of the holiday spirit season felt even earlier in the year.

Parol, the traditional star-shaped lantern that Filipino households hang in front of their homes each year, is one of the most famous items produced in Pampanga’s capital city, San Fernando. The parol symbolizes the star that guided the Three Wise Men to the manger of Jesus in Bethlehem.

“The festive spirit begins as early as July, when lantern makers start crafting their giant creations for the famous Giant Lantern Festival. By August, streets are adorned with vibrant lanterns of all shapes and sizes. From the food to the atmosphere and various festivities, Pampanga truly embodies the essence of Christmas,” said Gerald Gloton, a Pampanga-based photographer.

Many Filipinos believe in the spirit of the holidays as a time for families to reunite, with Filipinos in the country and abroad traveling to their native towns to be with their loved ones.

“That is the only time we can spend time together as a family. They are staying in Sorsogon while I’m currently working and living in Quezon City,” said Nicca Parico, a government employee.

“It’s magic. It’s also a time for reconciliation. Those who do not speak for months suddenly smile at each other or have small talks.”

While Christmas is marked by traditional delicacies that many Filipinos eat only once a year, what truly matters is not what is on the table, but the time spent reuniting with loved ones and witnessing the joy of children like never before.

“This is the season where kids are anticipating so many things to happen and of course for them to receive gifts,” said Paul Caneda, an executive at a sporting company. “(Christmas for me) is mainly for family gatherings, being with people you love most.”


More Bangladeshis choose to leave Lebanon as Israel violates ceasefire

More Bangladeshis choose to leave Lebanon as Israel violates ceasefire
Updated 07 December 2024
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More Bangladeshis choose to leave Lebanon as Israel violates ceasefire

More Bangladeshis choose to leave Lebanon as Israel violates ceasefire
  • Almost 1,000 Bangladeshis have returned to their country on special flights
  • Bangladeshis in Lebanon are the largest group of migrants from Asia

DHAKA: Bangladeshis living and working in Lebanon continue to return home, saying they fear Israeli attacks that have not stopped despite last week’s ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

There are about 100,000 Bangladeshis in Lebanon — the largest group of migrants from Asia. Thousands have been displaced since the beginning of Israel’s invasion of the country’s south in October and strikes on other cities.

Last month, a Bangladeshi man was killed by an Israeli strike while he stopped at a coffee shop on his way to work in Beirut.

Almost 1,000 Bangladeshis have since returned to their country on special repatriation flights financed by the Bangladeshi government and the International Organization for Migration. The latest flight reached Dhaka on Thursday night.

“The number of intended returnees is increasing,” Mohammad Anwar Hossain, first secretary of the Bangladeshi embassy in Beirut, told Arab News.

“Despite the ceasefire agreement, a tense situation still persists in Lebanon. We have observed Israeli surveillance drones over Beirut.”

Although a US-brokered ceasefire has been in place since last week, it has been repeatedly breached by Israel. A source from the UN’s peacekeeping force told CNN on Monday that Israeli forces had violated the agreement “approximately 100 times.”

Shahnaz Begum, who was among 105 Bangladeshis evacuated on Thursday, decided to leave her domestic helper job behind despite being her family’s sole breadwinner.

“Israel started bombing maybe one or two days after the announcement of the ceasefire,” she said.

“For over two months, we’ve been counting the days until we can return home. I can’t remember the last time I had a good night’s sleep. Every moment felt like it could be the last.”

Israeli air and ground raids, many of which have targeted civilian and medical infrastructure, have killed more than 4,000 people since October, according to Lebanese Health Ministry estimates. More than 16,000 have been injured.

Liton Rahman, who for the past seven years worked as a driver in Jezzine, southern Lebanon, was hopeful that the ceasefire would allow him to stay longer in Lebanon. But the wait was “in vain,” he said.

“I had been considering staying for a few more months if the ceasefire had truly been effective. But, unfortunately, Israel continues its attacks on various parts of southern Lebanon ... I am forced to return home. Otherwise, I might end up being counted as collateral damage.”


Pakistan national airline to resume flights to Europe after ban lifted

Pakistan national airline to resume flights to Europe after ban lifted
Updated 07 December 2024
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Pakistan national airline to resume flights to Europe after ban lifted

Pakistan national airline to resume flights to Europe after ban lifted
  • The airline remains banned from operating in the United States

Islamabad: Pakistan’s beleaguered national airline will resume flights to Europe on January 10 after European Union authorities lifted a four-year ban on the carrier, the company said in a statement on Saturday.
The statement from Pakistan International Airline (PIA), which was at the center of a pilot license scandal, said a “PIA flight will depart from Islamabad to Paris on January 10.”
“Initially, two flights will be operated weekly (on Friday and Sunday), which will gradually be increased.”
PIA was barred from flying to the EU in June 2020, a month after one of its aircraft plunged into a street in the southern city of Karachi, killing nearly 100 people.
The disaster was attributed to human error by the pilots and air traffic control, and was followed by allegations that nearly a third of the licenses for its pilots were fake or dubious.
The airline remains banned from operating in the United States.
After Europe’s ban was lifted last week, a spokesman for the carrier said they would “strictly adhere to EASA’s regulations and guidelines,” referring to the European Union’s aviation authority.
PIA, which employs 7,000 people, has long been accused of being bloated and poorly run — hobbled by unpaid bills, a poor safety record and regulatory issues.
Pakistan’s government has said it is committed to privatising the debt-ridden airline and has been scrambling to find a buyer.
Last month, a deal fell through after a potential buyer reportedly offered a fraction of the asking price.
The sale was also part of IMF demands in exchange for aid programs, including the privatization of public companies, establishing a broader tax base and ending subsidies for the 40 percent of Pakistanis who live below the poverty line.
In 2023, PIA had losses of $270 million according to local media.
Its liabilities were nearly $3 billion, about five times the total worth of its assets.
Last year, dozens of flights were canceled when it could not afford fuel for its planes.
While speaking to reporters last week, Pakistan’s aviation minister Khawaja Asif called the restoration of flights to Europe a “major value addition” that will make the airline more attractive to potential buyers.
PIA came into being in 1955 when the government nationalized a loss-making commercial airline and it enjoyed rapid growth until the 1990s.