Flash floods in Spain leave at least 51 people dead

 

At least 51 people have been killed in Spain after flash floods struck parts of the country.

Torrential rains flooded roads and towns on Tuesday, resulting in cars being swept through streets, a train being derailed and damaged houses and buildings.

Authorities in the worst-hit areas had advised people to stay at home and avoid all non-essential travel.

Emergency services said at least 51 people have died in the floods affecting southeastern Spain.

Those killed, in the Valencia region, included children.

In Letur, near the Sierra de Segura, 30 people were trapped after the river running through the town burst its banks.

Dozens of videos shared on social media appeared to show people trapped in floodwaters, several of them hanging on to trees to avoid being swept away. Authorities used helicopters to rescue some residents from their homes.

Other videos shared by Spanish broadcasters showed floodwater rising into the lower levels of homes and even carrying cars through the street.

Radio and TV stations received hundreds of calls for help from people trapped in flooded areas or searching for loved ones, as emergency services were unable to reach all affected locations.

Entre tantas imágenes del horror que deja la #DANA yo me quedo con esta mujer en la provincia de #Valencia que con el agua literalmente al cuello no suelta a su perro, a quien en todo momento abraza y mantiene en alta para que no se ahogue. pic.twitter.com/MNpDjgLAge

— Marta Llopis 🇪🇸🇺🇦 (@LlopisMarta95) October 30, 2024

'It was mayhem'

A British couple told Sky News they had been stuck in their car for almost 10 hours.

Vitalij Farafonov and his wife were visiting Valencia on a yoga retreat when they were diverted by police from a motorway at around 8pm last night.

He said: "It was mayhem as we counted nine or 10 overturned lorries on a half mile stretch of the motorway.

"We've never seen anything like it."

The couple, who are originally from the Midlands but now live in Luxembourg, have four children who are safe in Barcelona with relatives.

Mr Farafonov said he and his wife were stuck "on a random rural road in between what were beautiful orange groves".

"We can finally see flashing blue lights so people do know where we are," he added. "As I say, we are the lucky ones."