At least 51 people died after heavy rain and floods in Valencia, Spain | Weather News

Emergency services are continuing search and rescue operations following floods affecting the south and east of Spain.

At least 51 people died in flash floods following heavy rain in Spain’s eastern Valencia region, local officials said.

Severe storms caused flooding in parts of southern and eastern Spain on Tuesday. In the images shared on social media, vehicles are seen being dragged on the streets due to mud-colored water.

More than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units have been deployed to affected areas. Spain’s central government established a crisis committee to help coordinate rescue efforts.

Emergency services in Valencia urged citizens to avoid all road travel and to monitor updates from official sources.

“The provisional death toll stands at 51 people,” emergency services in Valencia wrote on X on Wednesday, adding that bodies were still being recovered and identified.

Valencia’s regional leader, Carlos Mazon, said at a press conference that some people remained isolated in inaccessible places.

“If (emergency services) have not arrived, it is not because of lack of vehicles or inclination, but because of access issues,” Mazon said, adding that it was “absolutely impossible” to reach certain areas.

“Yesterday was the worst day of my life,” Ricardo Gabaldon, mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE. Several people were still missing in his town.

“We were trapped like mice. Cars and garbage containers were flowing through the streets. The water rose up to 3 meters,” he said.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the government “will not abandon” those affected by the floods.

“The whole of Spain is crying with all of you. Our absolute priority is to help you… We will not abandon you,” he said in a televised speech.

King Felipe VI said he was “devastated” by the loss of life and thanked emergency services for their response. The monarchy also offered its “heartfelt condolences” to the families of the victims.

Images shared on social media showed firefighters rescuing drivers stranded in the middle of heavy rain in the town of Alzira and cars stranded on flooded streets.

National weather service AEMET reported that heavy rain, hail and strong winds were effective. A severe weather warning remains in effect for much of the country.

The weather forecast said the situation across Spain would not calm down until Thursday.

Trains to the cities of Madrid and Barcelona were canceled due to the flooding, and schools and other essential services were suspended in the hardest-hit areas.

Spain’s state-owned railway Renfe said that the 291-passenger high-speed train from Malaga to Madrid was derailed by a landslide shortly after departure. No injuries were reported.

Lower House Speaker Francina Armengol said Wednesday’s parliamentary session would be canceled due to the disaster.

Heavy rainfall events are becoming more frequent and intense around the world, largely due to climate change, scientists have warned. Human activities such as urban development, deforestation and inadequate infrastructure are also known to increase the risk of floods.