The Army joins the relief efforts following floods in the south-east of Spain

So far, around 200 soldiers from the Army have joined the rescue and rehabilitation efforts in the area affected by the isolated depression at high levels which caused significant flooding and damage in parts of the regions of Valencia, Murcia, and Andalusia.

In Orihuela (Alicante), members of the Special Operations Command are contributing staff and equipment to the rescue efforts, along with a squad from the Battalion of Military Police from the High Readiness Force Land Headquarters.

In Murcia, in Los Alcázares and in other parts of the region, members of the ‘Ortiz de Zárate’ Group, 3rd Paratroopers, and a platoon from the Military Police of the 2nd 'King Alfonso XIII' Brigade of the Legion, have been deployed, helping to rescue and transport locals as well as using their equipment to restore spaces.

Their actions, along with those of members of the Navy and the Air Force, are being coordinated by the Military Emergencies Unit, which has a tactical presence in both Orihuela and Murcia.

Visit from the Defence Minister

The acting Defence Minister, Margarita Robles, visited both Orihuela (Alicante) and Los Alcázares (Murcia) on the 15th of September to see first hand the impact of the flooding and the work of the soldiers.

So far, 710 people have been rescued by the Armed Forces, 550 of them from Vega Baja in Alicante (480 people were evacuated by land and boat and 70 by helicopter) and 160 of them from the province of Murcia.

Further units with Sapper and transport capacities from the 2nd and 6th Brigades, the Anti-aircraft Artillery Command, the Transmission Command, the Engineering Command, the Balearic General Command Headquarters and the Army Airmobile Forces are on standby should more help be needed.

 

Soldiers provide support after the floods.