Several bodies have been discovered by emergency responders in eastern Spain’s Valencia region after torrential rains led to flash floods, according to regional government leader Carlos Mazon. While the number of victims was not specified, Mazon stated that relatives are being notified before more details are released.
Eastern and southern Spain experienced severe rainfall on Tuesday, flooding streets, disrupting transport, and sending torrents of muddy water through towns. Dramatic footage from local residents showed cars swept away and buildings inundated as over a month’s worth of rain fell in a single day.
Authorities reported that seven individuals remain missing, including a truck driver in Valencia and six people from Letur in Albacete. Rescue operations with drones are underway in Letur, said Castilla-La Mancha’s government representative, Milagros Tolon, adding that “finding these people is our priority.”
In response, the Spanish government has mobilised a crisis committee and deployed UME, a specialised military rescue unit, to support regional efforts. Schools, sports events, and parks in Valencia are closed, while flights and train services face cancellations and delays, including a high-speed Madrid-Valencia route.
The storm’s intensity, driven by cold air over the Mediterranean, has prompted red alerts in Valencia and parts of Andalusia, where additional evacuations were necessary after rivers overflowed. State weather agency AEMET expects the rain to continue until Thursday.
Meteorologists warn that climate change is making extreme weather events like these storms increasingly severe.