Army sent to Ibiza as Storm Alice devastation floods holiday island | World | News
The Spanish army was sent to Ibiza for the second time in less than two weeks after further floods brought chaos to the island and knocked out the airport for about an hour and a half. Storm Alice battered the resort last night after dumping heavy rain on Spain’s east coast, including the Costa Blanca.
While 24 flights were canceled in the afternoon, internal areas had to be closed to passengers due to water leakage into the terminal and power outages caused by rain. Officials at Spanish airports authority AENA told local media: “Due to adverse weather conditions in Ibiza, airport operations were temporarily paralyzed between 18.00 and 19.20 in the evening. During this period, the runway was cleared along with other areas affected by the storm.” It was stated that half of the flights said to be canceled were incoming flights, the other 12 were outgoing flights, and British holidaymakers were among those affected.
In the terrible flood disaster that repeated on September 30, the main road leading to the airport became unusable. In the images published by the police, many vehicles are seen stranded in flood waters. Many roads in Ibiza Town, which collapsed due to heavy rain at the end of last month, were closed as the sky cleared.
It was confirmed late on Saturday night that military personnel from the specialist UME Armed Forces unit would return to Ibiza from their base near Valencia at the request of regional governors.
“Troops from Third Response Battalion BIEM3 left their base in Valencia to join emergency services in responding to flood warnings in Ibiza,” army commanders said in
Military reinforcements were expected to arrive around 5 a.m. on Sunday, October 12.
Ibiza Town mayor Rafa Triguero confirmed the closure of a number of roads, including the main access streets to the town on the
He also warned people to stay home if possible and to be extremely careful if they must travel anywhere.
In addition to Ibiza Town, the resort town of Playa d’en Bossa and the towns of San Jose and Santa Eularia were also flooded. One local described the situation on the island as “devastating”. There were also problems on the neighboring islands of Majorca and Formentera.
Heavy rain on 30 September caused problems, including flooding at nightclubs and hotels in Ibiza. Three people were injured when rocks crashed into the four-star Vibra Tropical Garden Apartments, located a short walk from Figueretas beach in Ibiza Town. The British holidaymaker, who was staying at the hotel where 220 guests were evacuated, was heard shouting “Oh my God” many times during the incident.
Tourists arriving in Ibiza by ferry were seen stepping into knee-deep water as they got off the boat. The army was drafted in to assist emergency response teams already in Ibiza with the rescue and clearing operation.
Storm Alice battered parts of mainland Spain, including Murcia, before causing problems in the Balearic Islands on Saturday evening. Many people had to be rescued from their vehicles in coastal areas of the state, including San Javier and Los Alcazares.
