Azerbaijani FM extends condolences to Spanish counterpart over flood victims

Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation J​osé Manuel Albares Bueno had a phone talk on November 7.

Bayramov expressed condolences to his Spanish counterpart over the death toll caused by the recent floods in Spain, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Caliber.Az.

The two sides then discussed the prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Spain, emphasising the importance of expanding bilateral ties for the benefit of both countries. During the phone talk, they also addressed preparation for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and explored opportunities for collaboration in this regard. The ministers exchanged views on other matters of mutual interest.

The flooding began on October 29, following a period of intense rainfall. Floodwaters quickly caused bridges to collapse and enveloped towns in thick mud.   Many communities were cut off, left without access to water, food, electricity and other basic services.   Almost all of the deaths confirmed so far have been in the Valencia region on the Mediterranean coast. Some areas have been particularly devastated.  

Spain's meteorological agency AEMET issued its highest level of alert for parts of southern Valencia - including the cities of Alzira, Cullera and Gandia.   DANA Desaparecidos is a social media effort to find those still unaccounted for in the devastating flash floods that swept through eastern Spain. At least 217 people are confirmed dead and the toll may climb higher.   At least 89 people are unaccounted for, the high court of the Valencia region said, marking the first time officials have released data on the missing.

Those numbers only include cases where families have provided information or biological samples to identify their relatives.

“There are still missing people to find, homes and businesses destroyed, buried under mud, and many people suffering from severe shortages,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said, pledging 10.6 billion euros ($11.4 billion) to help victims.

By Naila Huseynova