The Topos Azteca International Rescue Brigade, a team of 11 dedicated Mexican rescuers, received a heartfelt ovation in Valencia following their invaluable assistance in cleanup efforts and aid to victims affected by the recent catastrophic flash floods that claimed the lives of at least 220 people in Spain.
A video of this moment went viral on TikTok, capturing the residents of Valencia applauding and cheering for the Mexican rescuers, with chants of “Long live Mexico!” and “Less bullfighters, more firefighters!”
The heavy rains and flooding that impacted Spain’s Mediterranean coast and Andalusia, particularly in the Valencian Community, Castilla-La Mancha, and the Balearic Islands, were caused by a seasonal weather system known in Spain as the “cold drop,” or DANA (an acronym for depresión aislada en niveles altos, meaning “isolated depression at high levels”).
The Topos de Tlatelolco, a well-known Mexican rescue team, first emerged after the devastating 1985 Mexico City earthquake. This group of volunteers, including engineers and doctors, became renowned for their courage and skill. The name “Topos,” meaning “moles,” was chosen because of their remarkable ability to dig through rubble to save survivors. Since then, they have continued their mission in disaster zones worldwide.