Locals in Sevilla have accused the authorities of ‘learning nothing’ from Valencia’s deadly DANA disaster.
Exactly a year ago, more than 220 people perished in the deadliest floods in the eastern region’s history – with many blaming the government over its delays in warning the population and its lack of preparation for such events.
On Wednesday, history risked repeating itself in Sevilla, some 665km away in the heart of Andalucia.
An intense rain storm quickly left streets completely submerged, with people becoming trapped in their cars, and underground car parks filling up with water.
State weather agency Aemet, had issued an orange level warning hours in advance, but residents are now insisting it should have been the more serious red alert.
Footage shared online showed one elderly driver being carried to safety from his car on the back of a young man as the water rose around them.
In Dos Hermanas, young children had to be carried to safety by firefighters as the street outside their school was turned into a fast-flowing river.
A video of the moment attracted widespread condemnation on X, with one local fuming: ‘They have learnt nothing from Valencia!’
Another said: ‘Shameful, they haven’t learned a thing, today marks the anniversary of the Valencia DANA with 229 killed and they should have done what Mazon (Valencia president) didn’t do, suspend classes and close businesses… irresponsible.’
One added: ‘That they made us move today and didn’t suspend classes was a true recklessness. There are no words. We experienced real fear.’
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
