Looting incidents surge in Spain’s Valencia following deadly floods, with 253 arrested

As the Spain’s Valencia region grapples with the aftermath of catastrophic flooding on October 29, looting has become a growing concern. Authorities have arrested 253 individuals on charges related to looting, with 52 of those arrests taking place in the last 24 hours, according to the Ministry of the Interior.

The surge in criminal activity has overwhelmed the region, where authorities are simultaneously conducting search and rescue operations and working to clear debris and mud from homes and streets. The looting incidents have added an additional layer of tension and instability to the already dire situation.

More than 100 of the detained suspects have been sent to prison, while the rest remain in custody. Despite efforts to control the lawlessness, the security issue persists, with police struggling to maintain order as the region recovers from the devastating floods.

The flood disaster, which has claimed at least 215 lives in Valencia, has prompted the government to declare the area an “emergency zone.” Nationally, the death toll has risen to 223, with 78 people still missing. The looting in Valencia remains a major challenge for authorities as they work to restore both public safety and normalcy.