Spain floods: EFJ letter of condolences and solidarity
The EFJ President Maja Sever today wrote to the EFJ Spanish affiliates expressing the condolences and solidarity of the European Federation of Journalists for the victims of the flash floods in Spain.
“Dear colleagues and affiliates,
I am writing on behalf of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) to express our deepest condolences and solidarity in the wake of the deadliest floods in years, as Spain starts a three-day period of official mourning.
My thoughts are with the 155 people who lost their lives and the unknown number of people who remain missing, while thousands of others are without electricity or phone service. Our hearts go out to the victims’ families and the communities affected by this tragic event.
We salute the heroic efforts of the military and Spain’s emergency rescue units who joined regional and local emergency workers in the search for survivors. We express our full respect to their commitment to duty and their dedication to preserving life.
We also pay tribute to the journalists covering the disaster, in conditions that are humanly and morally unbearable. We know that many residents appealed for news of their missing loved ones via newspapers, television and radio broadcasts.
As we mourn the loss of life in the flood-hit region of Valencia, we are also calling for a thorough investigation into the late announcement to the public of this foreseeable disaster.
Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, their friends and all those impacted by this foreseeable disaster. We stand united with you in grief and solidarity.”
Maja Sever,
EFJ President
