Violent floods in Spain, several bodies found

Emergency services have recovered several bodies in the Valencia region of eastern Spain, where torrential rain has caused flooding, the regional government head announced on Wednesday.

“We can confirm that some bodies have already been found,” Carlos Mazon told the media, adding that authorities could not give more details until the families had not been informed. “We are facing an unprecedented situation, which no one has ever seen before,” added the president of the region.

Authorities said Tuesday that seven people were missing, including one in L'Alcudia in the Valencia region and six in Letur, in the neighboring province of Albacete (Castile-La Mancha region), where a flash flood swept through the streets, swept away cars and flooded buildings, according to images broadcast by Spanish television channels.

Emergency services, supported by drones, are working through the night to search for the missing in Letur, the central government's delegate in Castile-La Mancha, Milagros Tolon, told public television TVE.

“The priority is to find the missing people,” she added.

Police in the town of L'Alcudia said they were searching for a truck driver who had been missing for Tuesday afternoon.

The central government has set up a crisis unit, which met for the first time on Tuesday evening, and has sent an army unit specializing in rescue operations to the Valencia region.

“I am following with concern the reports of missing people and the damage caused by the storm in recent hours,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X, urging the population to follow the advice of the authorities. “Be very careful and avoid unnecessary travel,” he added.

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– “Cold drop” –

The Valencia City Hall announced that all schools would remain closed on Wednesday, as well as public gardens, and that all sporting events were canceled.

Overflowing of the Guadalhorce river in Alora, southern Spain, on October 29, 2024 © AFP – JORGE GUERRERO

Twelve flights that were due to land at Valencia airport (east) have been diverted to other cities in Spain due to heavy rain and strong winds, the Spanish airport operator said Aena.

Ten other flights that were due to depart or arrive at the airport have been cancelled.

National rail infrastructure operator Adif said it had suspended high-speed trains between Madrid and Valencia due to the storm's impact on key points on the rail network.

A high-speed train carrying 276 passengers derailed in the southern region of Andalusia, but no one was injured, the regional government said in a statement.

Emergency services rescued dozens of people in Alora, Andalusia, some by helicopter, after a river burst its banks.

The national meteorological agency Aemet has declared a red alert in the Valencia region and the second highest alert level in parts of Andalusia. She warned that the rains would continue until at least Thursday.

Several roads have been closed in both regions due to flooding.

The Valencia region and the Spanish Mediterranean coast in general regularly experience the “gota fria” (cold drop) weather phenomenon in autumn, an isolated high-altitude depression that causes sudden and extremely heavy rains, sometimes lasting several days.

Scientists warn that extreme weather events such as heat waves and storms are becoming more intense due to climate change.

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