At least 52 bodies have washed up after devastating storms across Spain’s southern regions saw a month’s worth of rainfall yesterday, as authorities continue to search for additional casualties.
Areas across the Costa Del Sol, as well as Valencia further north, have been hit with torrential rain, causing countless cars to be swept away and a train derailed.
Head of the Valencia local government Carlos Mazon confirmed that emergency services had found several casualties so far in his municipality.
He told reporters: “We can confirm that some bodies have already been found.”
A regional mayor has said that the flash floods are a “major catastrophe”
REUTERS
Speaking to Spanish television outlets, the mayor of another town hit by the floods Sergio Marin Sanchez said: “We couldn’t have predicted anything like this was going to happen. It’s a major catastrophe.
“Emergency responders, including a police helicopter, are still searching for around four people who we haven’t been able to account for in the flood area.
“Some people were in a vehicle and others were at home.
“There’s been a lot of damage but we’re just hoping everyone is okay and there are no personal casualties.”
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Many across Spain have posted videos online, showing people trapped in the water, as well as many hanging from trees, fighting against the currents.
While authorities used helicopters to save some individuals, emergency services have been unable to reach everyone who needs help.
Another mayor told Spanish broadcaster RTVE that there were still missing people from his town, saying that yesterday was the worst day of his life and the floods had made him and his residents “trapped like rats”.
While wider transport has been severely disrupted by the flash floods, a high-speed train carrying almost 300 passengers derailed near Malaga. Authorities have confirmed that no one was hurt in the incident.
Meanwhile, a lorry driver has disappeared yesterday afternoon in the province of Valencia and a bridge has collapsed into a river in the Paiporta area.
Over a thousand soldiers from the country’s emergency response units have been deployed to the affected regions
REUTERS
In response, over a thousand soldiers from the country’s emergency response units have been deployed to the affected regions.
Recounting their own experience, a British couple, originally from the Midlands, had been stuck in their car for around 10 hours following a road diversion last night, describing it as “mayhem” as they counted around 10 overturned lorries on the motorway, speaking to Sky News.
Earlier this week, the Met Office issued a weather warning of landslides, flash flooding and severe disruption to British citizens visiting Spain.
Scientists have said that they expect more extreme weather conditions, such as those currently affecting Spain, to be more frequent as a result of climate change.