500 children rescued as storms sweep northern Spain

DEVASTATED: Several camps were destroyed.

DEVASTATED: Several camps were destroyed. Credit: Guardia Civil

NEARLY 500 children and adult supervisors have been rescued from summer camps in Asturias and Castilla y Leon after severe storms swept through the region yesterday (July 23) 

Heavy rain, lightning and strong winds made conditions too dangerous for the youngsters to remain in camps, several of which suffered considerable damage, police and emergency services decided. 

In Arenas de San Pedro (Avila), the Mountain Rescue team of the Guardia Civil was called in to bring 32 children between the ages of 10 and 12 and four monitors belonging to Camp Sant Michael to safety. 

An electrical had left them sodden and it was decided to rescue them because of the danger of hypothermia. 

In Candeleda (Avila) 50 children from the Santo Domingo boy scouts group were evacuated from a local campsite after lightning sparked off several fires. Civil Protection personnel, Local Police along with Guardia Civil agents who had to cut traffic on the N50, carried out the rescue. 

Meanwhile heavy rain and strong winds devastated a campsite in Boca de Huergano (Leon). Twenty three children and several supervisors were taken to a sports hall for shelter, some of them suffering anxiety attacks. 

Several camps in the municipalities of Buron and Acebedo, both in the province of Lepn, were flooded and completely destroyed, leading to the evacuation of 90 minors from Buron camp, 90 from Pinar de Acebedo Scout camp and 120 from Esteria de Acebedo camp. 

They were taken to local schools for shelter and medical check-ups, with no serious injuries reported. 

The Emergency Service of Castilla y Leon and the Red Cross provided them with beds, blankets, and food. 

Over in Cervera de Pisuerga (Palencia), Guardia Civil evacuated 53 children and 10 monitors who were camping in the hamlet of Ruesga-Cervera de Pisuerga, when the strong winds blew away one of the tents. 

In Asturias, 23 boy scouts and two monitors, who had departed from Vega de Ario heading in the direction of Cain de Valdeon-Leon, were evacuated from the Canal de Culiembro area by the Mountain Service of the Guardia Civil de Cangas de Onis and helicopter. 

Author badge placeholder
Written by

Dilip Kuner

Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

Comments