A flash flood in Manzaneda de Valdueza, León, killed two women and injured two minors. Emergency services responded after a landslide hit a local bodega. No one remains missing.
Two women lost their lives and two minors suffered minor injuries after a sudden landslide struck Manzaneda de Valdueza, in the El Bierzo region of León. The incident occurred when a torrential downpour triggered a flash flood, causing earth and debris to cascade down the hillside and funnel through Calle de la Iglesia, directly impacting a bodega where six people had gathered.
According to the Policía Nacional, the force of the water and mud overwhelmed the building, resulting in the deaths of two adult women. The two injured children are receiving medical attention for minor wounds. Authorities confirmed that all individuals present have been accounted for, and there are no missing persons linked to the event.
Emergency services were mobilized rapidly after the 112 Operations Room received multiple alerts at 19:38. Firefighters from Ponferrada, Policía Nacional, Policía Local de Ponferrada, the Emergency Coordination Center, and the GRIPDE unit were dispatched to the scene. The Civil Protection Agency activated a rescue helicopter, while Sacyl deployed two ambulances—one basic and one advanced life support—along with medical staff from the local urgent care point.
Elsewhere in the province, Bouzas experienced similar weather, with another intense downpour sweeping away several vehicles. The entire province of León was under an orange alert for torrential rain on Saturday, reflecting the broader risk of severe weather across northern Spain. This follows a pattern of extreme weather events in the region, as highlighted by recent incidents such as the severe storms and hail that prompted orange alerts in northern and eastern Spain, detailed in a previous report on escalating storm risks.
Flash floods and landslides are a recurring hazard in mountainous areas of Spain, particularly during periods of intense rainfall. The rapid response by emergency teams in León underscores the ongoing challenges posed by sudden weather events. Local authorities continue to monitor conditions closely, urging residents to remain vigilant during periods of heavy rain, especially when orange or red alerts are in effect. The incident in Manzaneda de Valdueza serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by extreme weather and the importance of timely warnings and coordinated emergency action.
