At least 51 people have died after torrential rains unleashed devastating flash floods across southeastern Spain, officials report. Heavy rains and hailstorms have battered multiple regions, triggering rapid flooding that has swept through communities, collapsed bridges, and uprooted cars.
Authorities are struggling to determine the full scale of the disaster.
“It is impossible to put an exact number on the final death toll at this stage,” said Carlós Mazón, president of the Valencia region.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with workers searching through debris and floodwaters as they attempt to locate survivors. In Letur, one of the hardest-hit areas, officials are using drones to locate missing people. “The priority is to find these people,” said Milagros Tolon, a local official speaking to TVE.
The flooding, caused by an unprecedented deluge, has resulted in Valencia recording 491mm of rain in just eight hours, equivalent to the region’s typical annual rainfall, according to Spain’s weather service, AEMET.
Footage shared on social media captures the chaos: bridges crumbling under pressure, vehicles swept away, and people clinging to trees to avoid being washed away.
Emergency services are struggling to respond as hundreds of calls come in from those trapped by floodwaters or searching for missing loved ones. Local media reports indicate dozens of people in Valencia spent the night stranded in vehicles, on rooftops, or on elevated structures, waiting to be rescued.
The severe weather has caused major transport disruptions. All train services in the Valencia region are suspended, and flights into Valencia have been either cancelled or rerouted to other cities, according to ADIF, Spain’s national rail infrastructure operator. Valencia city hall announced that all schools, parks, and sporting events would remain closed.
The Spanish government has declared a red alert in Valencia and issued the second-highest level of alert for parts of Andalusia. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his concern on social media, urging residents to follow safety guidelines and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.
Chioma Kalu
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