Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced the largest peacetime military deployment in the nation’s history, mobilizing 10,000 troops and police to assist in the aftermath of catastrophic floods that have claimed at least 211 lives across eastern, southern, and central regions, The Guardian reported on Saturday.

After leading a crisis committee meeting, Sanchez declared that all available government resources are being directed to address the "terrible tragedy", which has hit the Valencia region particularly hard.

Acknowledging that many aid efforts are still struggling to reach affected areas, he appealed for unity and urged an end to political disputes.

"There are still dozens of people looking for their loved ones and hundreds of households mourning the loss of a relative, a friend or a neighbour," the premier said in a televised address on Saturday morning.

"I want to express our deepest love to them and assure them that the government of Spain and the entire state, at all its different administrative levels, is with all of them."

Worst disaster in recent Spanish history

Describing the recent floods as "the worst natural disaster" in recent Spanish history and among the deadliest in Europe this century, Sanchez announced a significant increase in military and police personnel engaged in relief efforts.

In the initial 48 hours, Spain deployed its largest-ever peacetime force of military and police, completing 4,800 rescues and aiding over 30,000 people trapped in homes, on roads, or in flooded industrial areas, the Prime Minister highlighted.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that aid has been slow to reach many blocked and flooded properties and isolated villages. "That is why the Spanish government is today sending 4,000 more personnel from the military emergencies unit to Valencia province," he stated.

"Tomorrow, another 1,000 military personnel will arrive … I’ve also ordered the deployment of an amphibious navy boat that has operating theatres, helicopters and a fleet of vehicles that will arrive at Valencia port in the coming hours."

Additionally, Sanchez announced that 5,000 more national police and civil guards would be dispatched to the affected areas, supplementing the 2,500 soldiers and 5,000 officers already on-site.

He also pointed out that "our second priority is identifying and recovering the bodies of the dead and we need to do it quickly but with all the dignity and guarantees that the victims and their families deserve."

According to the premier, "over the past 48 hours, military and security personnel have inspected thousands of garages, riverbeds and roads, and recovered the bodies of 211 mortal victims."

He added that forensic teams and mobile morgues are working tirelessly in the disaster area.

Cities submerged by floods

Sanchez confirmed that power has been restored to 94% of affected homes, with phone lines expected to be repaired over the weekend.

Acknowledging public frustration over the response—particularly the delay in issuing an emergency alert—Sanchez appealed for unity and assured the public that a thorough review will follow, promising lessons for strengthening public services amid climate-related disasters.

"But now we need to focus all our efforts on the colossal task we face and to forget our differences and put ideologies and disagreements to one side and act together."

The floods, driven by torrential rains linked to the climate crisis, have submerged cities, towns, and villages, sweeping away infrastructure. An unknown number remain missing, with thousands lacking basic necessities as some of the hardest-hit areas remain cut off.

Saturday’s orange weather warning covered Castellon in Valencia and parts of Tarragona in Catalonia, highlighting the ongoing threat.