**Spanish Research Vessel Diverted to Aid in Flood Search Mission**

In an unexpected turn of events, a Spanish research vessel dedicated to studying marine ecosystems has been reassigned to assist in the urgent search for individuals missing due to recent catastrophic floods in Spain. The Ramón Margalef, along with its 24-member crew, has been tasked with mapping an offshore expanse of 36 square kilometers to locate vehicles swept into the Mediterranean Sea by the floods.

This significant endeavor, covering an area comparable to over 5,000 soccer fields, aims to identify sunken vehicles, potentially leading to the recovery of bodies. Nearly 100 people have been officially reported missing, and the death toll has surpassed 200, with officials fearing that more individuals may be unaccounted for.

Leading this critical mission is marine biologist Pablo Carrera. He estimates that within 10 days, his team will provide valuable information to assist police and emergency services in conducting systematic recovery efforts. Carrera emphasized the difficulty of the task without a map, likening it to "finding a needle in a haystack."

The research vessel will collaborate with ongoing search initiatives by police and military personnel who are already operating in the flood-impacted areas. These teams have been diligently probing through mud layers and fields using poles and sniffer dogs to detect bodies buried in canal banks. Search efforts have also extended to coastal beaches.

The initial zone for the Ramón Margalef's search is the sea area adjacent to the Albufera wetlands, where floodwaters discharged after devastating local villages and Valencia's southern suburbs. Carrera, a 60-year-old seasoned professional, heads the fleet operated by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography under the Spanish National Research Council.

The Ramón Margalef embarked from Alicante on Spain's south coast and aims to reach the waters off Valencia by early Saturday. The vessel's 10 scientists, technicians, and 14 sailors are prepared to work in continuous shifts. The vessel previously contributed to research on the impact of the 2021 La Palma volcanic eruption in the Canary Islands.

Carrera clarified that locating bodies at sea is highly improbable. Therefore, the primary focus is on detecting large objects like cars, which could potentially lead to identifying missing persons. The vessel is equipped with a submersible robot, fitted with cameras, capable of diving to depths of 60 meters to identify these vehicles. However, visibility might be poor, and vehicles could be heavily damaged or covered in debris.

In addition to the search efforts, Carrera's team plans to assess the flood's long-term impact on the marine ecosystem. Their findings will contribute to broader initiatives by Spanish research centers to study these devastating floods – the deadliest in Spain this century.

Spain frequently experiences fatal floods due to autumn storms, but recent climate conditions, including a two-year drought and record high temperatures, have aggravated the situation. Spain's meteorological agency recorded an unprecedented 30.4 inches of rain in one hour in the Valencian town of Turís, highlighting the storm's severity.

Carrera concluded, "We have never seen an autumn storm of this intensity. We cannot stop climate change, so we have to prepare for its effects."