Spain flash floods: more than 50 feared dead after torrential rain cuts off road and rail lines – latest updates
Key events
Rescues as torrential rain brings flash flooding to Spain – video
Some photos taken after the storm dropped a year’s worth of rain in hours, causing rivers to quickly burst their banks and even spawning tornadoes
Spain’s King Felipe sends ‘strength and encouragement’ to flood victims
Spain’s King Felipe has said he was “heartbroken” by news of the floods, in a social media post that offered condolences to the families of the more than 50 people killed.
“I’m sending strength, encouragement and all the necessary support to all those affected,” he said. “We recognise and appreciate all the local and regional authorities and the emergency and security services as they continue with the titanic task they have been carrying out since the very first moment.”
Desolados ante las últimas noticias sobre la DANA. Nuestro más sentido pésame a los familiares y allegados de los más de 50 fallecidos.
Fuerza, ánimo y todo el apoyo necesario para todos los afectados.
Nuestro mensaje más cercano y reconocimiento a autoridades locales y…
— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) October 30, 2024
Dozens of people spent the night stranded as mud-coloured waters rose across huge swathes of Spain, from the southern provinces of Malaga to the Valencia area in the east.
Some perched on top of cars and trucks, hoping to be rescued, while others climbed onto the rooftops of shops and gas stations, newspaper El Paīs reported. Rescues took place throughout the evening and continue Wednesday.
More than 50 feared dead after flash floods in Spain
Sam Jones
At least 51 people are feared to have died after torrential rains hit southern and eastern Spain on Tuesday, bringing flash floods that raged through towns and cut off roads and rail lines.
As the search continued for the missing, people were urged to stay off the roads amid warnings that the number of fatalities could rise.
Speaking on Wednesday morning, the president of the eastern region of Valencia said it was still too early to provide a comprehensive death toll.
