At least 52 people died in floods in Spain | World News

At least 52 people lost their lives in the flood disaster that affected some parts of the country in Spain.

Torrential rains flooded roads and towns, causing cars to drift through streets, a train to derail, and damage to homes and buildings.

Follow latest: People ‘stranded like rats’ – towns flooded

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

Emergency services say at least 51 people have died in floods affecting the east Spain, and local broadcaster El Pais reported that an 88-year-old woman was found dead in the Cuenca town of Mira, further inland.

There were children among those killed in the Valencia region.

In Letur, near the Sierra de Segura mountain range, 30 people were trapped after the river flowing through the town overflowed.

Dozens of videos shared on social media show people stranded in flood waters, many holding on to trees to avoid being swept away.

Authorities used helicopters to rescue some residents from their homes.

Other videos shared by Spanish broadcasters show flood waters rising to the lower floors of houses and even carrying cars along the street.

PM warns of more storms

“We are united and we will rebuild your streets, squares and bridges,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said at a press conference, telling those affected that “Spain will be with you.”

He added that the government’s crisis committee would work “hand in hand” with local authorities and mayors 24 hours a day “as long as the emergency continues”.

But he later warned that the “devastating event” may not be over yet, with forecasters predicting further storms by Thursday.

‘We are trapped like mice’

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

More than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units were deployed to devastated areas.

“Yesterday was the worst day of my life,” Ricardo Gabaldon, mayor of the Valencian town of Utiel, told national broadcaster RTVE. He said several people were still missing in his town.

“We were trapped like mice,” Mr. Gabaldon said. “Cars and garbage containers were flowing through the streets. The water rose up to three metres.”

While rain in Valencia tapered off late Wednesday morning, storms were expected to continue Thursday, according to Spain’s national weather service.

‘It was chaos’

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

While Vitalij Farafonov and his wife were visiting Valencia for a yoga holiday, they were removed from the highway by the police at around 20:00 yesterday evening.

He said: “It was complete mayhem as we counted nine or 10 trucks overturned on a half-mile stretch of the motorway.

“We’ve never seen anything like it.”

Mr Farafonov said he and his wife were “stuck on a random rural road between beautiful orange groves”.

“We can finally see flashing blue lights so people know where we are,” he added. “Like I said, we’re lucky.”

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

Transportation was seriously affected due to the flood.

A high-speed train with about 300 people on board derailed near Malaga, but authorities said no one was injured.

Rail lines elsewhere were also disrupted.

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‘Titanic job’

Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia said they were “devastated” by the deadly floods.

“We express our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the more than 50 deceased,” the statement said.

“Strength, courage and all necessary support for all affected.

“This is our warmest message and appreciation to the local and regional authorities and all emergency services, armed forces and state security forces and troops for the tremendous work they have done from the very beginning.”

An increase in extreme weather events such as floods or wildfires seen elsewhere in Europe during the summer months is likely linked to human-caused climate change, scientists have warned.

Meteorologists believe that the warming of the Mediterranean Sea, which increases the evaporation of water, plays an important role in making showers more intense.