Flash floods in Spain leave at least 51 dead and disrupt rail and road services

At least 51 people were reported dead by Spanish authorities on Wednesday after flash floods swept cars through village streets, closed roads and disrupted rail services in parts of eastern and southern Spain.

Torrential rain and hailstorms have caused flooding across multiple regions in the worst natural disaster to hit the country in recent decades.

Emergency services in the eastern Valencia region confirmed the death toll, with rescue efforts ongoing.

Valencia’s regional president Carlos Mazón said it was “impossible” to provide an exact figure for the final death toll at this stage. He told a press conference on Wednesday morning that some people were still stranded in inaccessible locations.

The central government has launched a crisis committee, and more than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units have been deployed to the devastated areas.

Videos shared on social media and by Spanish broadcasters show floodwater rising into the lower levels of homes, and carrying cars through streets. Police and rescue services have used helicopters to lift people from their houses and cars.

Train derailed

A high-speed train with nearly 300 people on board derailed near Malaga on Tuesday, although rail authorities said no one was hurt.

The flooding has led to several road closures, suspension of rail services, and flight diversions in cities including Valencia, Madrid and Barcelona.

National rail infrastructure operator ADIF said high-speed train services between Valencia and Madrid have been suspended, while other commuter lines across the affected regions have also been halted.

Spain’s civil air authority Enaire reported dozens of flight diversions in Valencia and Madrid. There has also been disruption at airports in Alicante and Málaga.

Emergency teams rescue a person who was stranded by floods in Malaga Gregorio Marrero/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved.

Spain’s state weather agency AEMET said on X that Tuesday was the “most adverse day of the episode”, but warned that more storms were forecast through Thursday.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on X that he was following reports of missing people and damage caused “with concern”.

“Be very careful and avoid unnecessary trips,” he said urging people to heed the authorities’ advice.

Spain has faced similar autumn storms in recent years, and scientists say worsening extreme weather events are likely caused by climate change.

AEMET said the flash floods are a result of a gota fría, or cold drop, which occurs when cold polar air moves over the warm water of the Mediterranean Sea.

In a post on X, the agency said this latest cold drop was the worst of the 21st century in the Valencia region.