Death toll from floods in Spain rises to 140 as weather warnings increase

While rescue teams continue to search for houses and vehicles damaged by the flood, the number of deaths from flash floods in Spain has increased to 140, according to local media reports.

As communities across Spain were rocked by Tuesday’s floods, authorities say many more people are still missing.

The hardest hit area was Valencia, where torrential rain flooded villages and cars piled up on the streets.

On Tuesday, the storm system dumped a year’s worth of rain on parts of the country.

On Thursday, Spain’s national weather service issued new flood warnings for parts of the country.

A group of rescue workers carry body bags through flooded streets. — Authorities are searching for victims in flooded settlements and highways. (Reuters: Eva Manez)

Rescuers used helicopters to ferry survivors to safety on Thursday, while diggers and tractors were brought in to clear debris from the streets.

Floodwaters have washed away bridges and could disrupt rail services in the country for days.

“Unfortunately, there are bodies in some vehicles,” Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente told Reuters.

A bridge was washed away in a silty and shallow river. — Bridges and railway lines were cut after the flood in Spain. (Reuters: Nacho Doce)

Neighborhood residents described seeing people climbing onto the roofs of their vehicles as floodwaters rose.

In some settlements, up to three meters of water was flowing through houses.

The system that caused flooding in Valencia on Tuesday has now shifted northwards, with the AEMET state weather agency issuing the highest level of alert to the province of Castellon.

While visiting a rescue coordination center in Valencia, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned citizens to stay at home due to warnings.

“The most important thing right now is to protect the lives of as many people as possible,” he said.

Residents shovel thick mud in the middle of Spanish street. — Residents of the affected towns faced a massive clean-up in the wake of the disaster. (AP: Alberto Saiz)

The flooding, which hit southern and eastern parts of Spain, was triggered by the DANA weather phenomenon, which climate scientists say is becoming more frequent due to climate warnings.

This is Europe’s worst flood since 2021, when 185 people died in Germany.

This is also Spain’s deadliest flood in modern history.

Reuters/AP