Second group of flood victims arrive on island for holidays

The second group of children from flood-devastated areas of Germany, invited to the island by the local government for a week's holiday, arrived at Son Sant Joan airport yesterday. They were welcomed by minister Josep M. Costa and were then taken to Playa de Muro where they will be staying. The first group of children arrived on October 3 and left yesterday, and the third group will arrive next week. In all, 470 children have been invited. The children are aged between eight and 12. Many of them lost their homes in the flooding which hit the Saxonia area last August. One of the children who left last week spent 16 hours clinging to the top of a wall with her father and a brother before they were rescued. The travel agents association AVIBA has organised a programme of visits including Marineland, Western Park, the Soller train, Palma Cathedral, Bellver Castle, the Caves of Drach and Natura Park.