Severe Weather Batters Europe and Japan; Tragedy Strikes Libya and Australia
Severe weather caused widespread disruption and tragedy across Europe and Japan on Wednesday, while news broke of a high-profile death in Libya and a heroic rescue in Australia.
In Spain, Storm Leonardo brought heavy rain and flooding to Andalucía, leading to mass evacuations. Euronews reported that approximately 3,000 people were evacuated in Cádiz, Jaén, and Málaga. Roads were cut off, homes were flooded, and high-speed trains were suspended in the affected regions. Schools were closed everywhere except Almería. Red alerts were issued for Grazalema, Ronda, and the Strait of Gibraltar, where up to 150 liters of rain per square meter was forecast, according to Euronews. Rivers rose to critical levels in at least 19 areas.
Portugal also experienced severe weather, with widespread flooding, power outages, and infrastructure damage, Euronews reported. Road closures occurred along the Tagus River, and authorities warned of further impacts from another incoming storm affecting both Portugal and Spain. Rising waters along the Tagus River forced authorities to close riverside roads and pedestrian paths in Vila Franca de Xira. Officials stated the area remained on high alert due to high tides, heavy rainfall, and upstream dam releases from Spain.
Meanwhile, weeks of heavy snowfall in Japan resulted in at least 35 deaths, according to Sky News. Nearly 400 people were injured, with 126 suffering serious injuries. The affected areas were primarily in the northern and central regions of the country. Sky News reported that more than a dozen properties were damaged, and as of Wednesday, 15 prefectures were affected. Snowfall in the worst-hit areas was estimated to have reached up to 2 meters (6.5 feet). Officials warned that more severe weather was expected.
In Libya, Saif al Islam Gaddafi, the son of the late dictator Muammar Gaddafi, was shot dead in Zintan, southwest of Tripoli, Sky News reported. According to his office, the 53-year-old was killed during a "direct confrontation" with four armed men who broke into his home. Saif al Islam Gaddafi held no official position but was once considered a powerful figure in Libya.
On a brighter note, in Australia, a 13-year-old boy, Austin Appelbee, swam for approximately four hours to shore to raise the alarm after his family was swept out to sea, Sky News reported. The incident occurred on Friday when strong winds picked up off the coast, causing difficulties for Appelbee, his mother, brother, and sister, who were on an inflatable kayak and paddleboards. Appelbee described battling "massive" waves during his swim. He said he focused on happy thoughts to get through the ordeal, while his family sang and joked to keep their spirits up while they waited for rescue.
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