Spain's deluge death toll soars to 158...Worst in 51 years.

95 deaths → 158 deaths
The possibility of an increase in the number of deaths due to the large number of missing persons
Worst natural disaster since the devastating flood of 300 people in 1973
Spanish government declares national mourning period until tomorrow

[Anchor]
Two days ago, a deluge swept through southeastern Spain that no one had predicted.

The number of deaths has soared to 158, but the number of people who are still missing is expected to increase further.

Reporter Hwang Bo-sun reports.

[Reporter]
Last Tuesday, Valencia, southeastern Spain, was hit by a water storm out of nowhere.

In a short period of time, bridges and railways were cut off and broken due to a sudden downpour, and rice paddies and fields were turned into earthy reservoirs.

Everything on the roads and alleys, whether people or vehicles, was swept away in an instant by the fierce current.

[Antonio Arigno / Valencia resident] Cars were pushed and bumped into each other and stormed into the house. Something unimaginable happened.]

The number of victims is increasing significantly as rescue efforts to find survivors begin in earnest.

It jumped from 95 on Wednesday to 158 on Thursday afternoon.

There are dozens of people missing, many of whom could turn into deaths.

It is the worst loss of life since floods killed 300 people in October 1973.

The Spanish government has declared a period of national mourning until tomorrow (2nd).

[Pedro Sanchez / Prime Minister of Spain] Our solidarity to the victims, their families and relatives. I will gather all the capabilities of the government in the rescue effort.]

Such disasters are feared to add scale and frequency in the future.

[Clare Barnes / Climate expert] It's going to be more severe and more frequent in the future. This is because the world is warming more and more.]

In fact, another Suma is forecast to hit southern Europe this week.

This is YTN Hwang Bo-seon.