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Spain deploys 7,500 soldiers to flood zone where anger rises at sluggish assistance

Spain is releasing 7,500 soldiers to its eastern area hit by devastating floods, the federal government said on Monday in the face of increasing discontent over the reaction to the catastrophe that has actually killed a minimum of 217 people.

The army sent about 5,000 soldiers over the weekend to assist disperse food and water, tidy up streets and secure stores and properties from looters. A more 2,500 would join them, Defence Minister Margarita Robles informed state-owned radio RNE.

A warship bring 104 marine infantry soldiers along with trucks with food and water was approaching Valencia port even as a strong hailstorm pounded Barcelona some 300 km (186 miles). to the north.

Rescue groups on Monday were looking for bodies in. underground garages consisting of a 5,000-car park at Bonaire. mall near Valencia airport along with river mouths. where currents may have transferred bodies.

Deaths from Spain's worst flash floods in modern-day history. edged greater to 217 on Sunday - almost all of them in the. Valencia area and more than 60 in the suburb of Paiporta.

Local residents' anger was focused on late signals from. authorities about the dangers of flooding and a viewed. delayed response by emergency situation services.

On Sunday, some homeowners in Paiporta slung mud at Prime. Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Felipe and his spouse Queen. Letizia, chanting: killers, killers!

Transportation Minister Oscar Puente stated on Sunday the death. toll had stabilised because all victims on the surface area had been. recognized.

The torrential rains on Tuesday and Wednesday triggered rivers. to swell, swallowing up streets and the ground floors of structures,. and sweeping away automobiles and pieces of masonry in tides of mud.

It was the worst flood-related catastrophe in Europe in five. years

Despite the fact that rains have actually continued throughout the remainder of the. week, there has actually been no more major flooding in the area. The. weather agency issued a warning on Monday morning for Barcelona. as hailstorm and heavy rains struck Spain's second biggest city.

Some of Sunday's protesters wore clothes with the symbols. of far-right organisations that typically stage protests against the. leftist government. Robles said extremist groups were taking. advantage of the scenario for political gains.

(source: Reuters)