Spain to give legal status to 25,000 migrants affected by Valencia floods

Spain's leftist government announced on Tuesday that it would give year-long residence and work permits to about 25,000 migrants affected by last year's deadly floods in the east of the country, the migration ministry said. More than 220 people died due to flash floods in late October that swept away people in cars and inundated underground car parks and ground floor homes around the city of Valencia, in one of the worst natural catastrophes in Spain's modern history. The new measures, which also include issuance of student permits, are expected to benefit at least 25,000 migrants and family members who were living in one of the municipalities affected by the floods between October 28 and November 4, the ministry said in a statement.