Spain approves aid package for Canary Islands

The Spanish government today approved an aid package for the Canary Islands, where thousands of houses were damaged earlier this week by Tropical Storm Delta.

The storm charged over the Spanish Atlantic archipelago on Monday, leaving seven people dead and several communities without electricity.

Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said today the Cabinet had approved the aid package, including tax and social security breaks as well as reconstruction grants.

She did not give a total value for the package, or give any details on damage estimates.

“It is vital for the government to intervene urgently to minimise the damage to infrastructure, housing as well as public and private property,” said Fernandez de la Vega, who planned to visit the islands later today.

Torrential rain and winds near 74 mph tore off roofs, uprooted trees and damaged power lines on Monday evening.

About 200,000 people in the cities of Tenerife and La Laguna were left without electricity after the storm.

Power cuts had also affected the islands of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma, as well as Tenerife.