Death and destruction caused by torrential rain in Spain | Flood News

Flash floods have killed several people in Spain, while the east of the country is hit by torrential rain.

Several bodies have been recovered by rescue workers in the eastern Valencia region after flooding triggered flooding, the head of the regional government said early Wednesday.

“We can confirm that some bodies have already been found,” Carlos Mazon told reporters on Wednesday, without saying how many. Authorities could only provide further details once relatives had been informed, he added.

Heavy rain hit large parts of eastern and southern Spain on Tuesday, flooding roads with muddy water and disrupting rail and air traffic. In some areas, more than a month's worth of rain fell in a single day, Spanish media reported.

“We are facing an unprecedented situation,” Mazon said.

At least seven people were missing – a truck driver in the Valencia region and six people in the town of Letur in the eastern province of Albacete, officials reported.

The government has deployed the UME, a military unit specializing in rescue operations, to Valencia to assist local emergency services.

All school classes and sporting events were suspended on Wednesday, and parks remain closed.

Flights were diverted from Valencia airport to other cities, Spanish airport operator Aena said. At least 10 flights due to departure or arrival at the airport were canceled.

The national rail infrastructure manager ADIF has suspended all rail traffic in the Valencia region “until the situation for the safety of passengers returns to normal”.

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

Emergency services used helicopters to lift people from homes and cars in Alora, Andalusia, after a river burst its banks.

The state weather agency AEMET declared a red alert in the Valencia region and the second highest alert level in parts of Andalusia. Due to flooding, several roads were disrupted in both regions.

Meteorologists said the storm was caused by cold air flowing over the warm waters of the Mediterranean, producing intense rain clouds. The rains are expected to continue at least until Thursday.

Scientists warn that extreme weather such as heat waves and storms will become more severe due to climate change.