At least two adult women have died and two minors are receiving treatment for minor injuries after a flash flood and landslide struck the towns of Manzanedo de Valdueza and Bouzas in the municipality of Ponferrada on Saturday. Official sources from the Government Sub-delegation in Leon and municipal authorities reported the casualties to news agency EFE.
A severe storm discharged over the area on Saturday afternoon, causing the Oza River to overflow its banks. The resulting floodwaters and torrents of mud swept through Manzanedo de Valdueza and Bouzas.
The flood submerged a local wine cellar where six people were located, according to officials. Two adult women inside the cellar died, while emergency workers treated two minors for minor injuries.
The Government Sub-delegation indicated in its latest update that there are no longer any missing persons in the area.
Emergency Response and Rescue Operations
The force of the water damaged local roads and cut off access to the town of Penalba de Santiago. Authorities noted that the route connecting Penalba de Santiago is regularly affected by landslides.
Multiple telephone calls alerted emergency services to the situation, prompting a large deployment. Responders included the Ponferrada Firefighters, the National Police, the Ponferrada Local Police, the Emergency Coordination Centre of the Regional Government of Castile and Leon, and the Psychological Intervention Group in Disasters and Emergencies.
The Emergency Coordination Centre of the Civil Protection and Emergency Agency activated a rescue helicopter to assist with aerial search and evacuation efforts. Multiple ambulances and medical personnel from the Continuous Care Point also dispatched to the scene.
Emergency services maintain a broad deployment in the area as intervention work continues. Teams are working to assist affected residents and assess the structural damage caused by the flood and landslide.
