Ribadelago facts for kids
Ribadelago is a small village located in the province of Zamora, Spain. It is part of the Galende municipality, which is a larger area that includes several villages. Ribadelago is known for its beautiful natural surroundings, especially near the Lake Sanabria area, which is a popular spot for visitors.
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Ribadelago has a quiet history, but it is most remembered for a very sad event that happened in 1959.
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The Vega de Tera Dam Disaster
In the early hours of January 9, 1959, a terrible event struck Ribadelago. A dam called the Vega de Tera dam, located high up in the mountains, suddenly broke. This dam held back a large amount of water in a reservoir.
What Caused the Dam to Break?
The Vega de Tera dam was built to hold water for a power plant. On that night, heavy rains had made the reservoir very full. The dam was not strong enough to hold all the water, and a large section of it collapsed.
The Flood that Followed
When the dam broke, a huge wave of water rushed down the valley towards Ribadelago. The village was directly in the path of this powerful flood. Many people were asleep when the water hit. The flood was so strong that it destroyed many homes and buildings.
Impact on the Village
The disaster caused a lot of damage to Ribadelago. Sadly, 144 people lost their lives in the flood. The village was partially destroyed, and many families lost everything they had. It was a very difficult time for the people who lived there.
Rebuilding and Remembering
After the disaster, efforts were made to help the survivors and rebuild parts of the village. A new part of the village, called Ribadelago Nuevo (New Ribadelago), was built nearby to provide safer homes for those who had lost theirs. The event is still remembered today as a significant tragedy in Spanish history. Memorials exist to honor those who died.
