51 Dead From Devastating Flash Floods: Spanish Authorities

Barcelona: At least 51 are known to have died from devastating flash floods after torrential rain in Valencia, south-eastern Spain. village streets turned into rivers, rail lines and highways were disrupted in one of worst hit disaster. 

Emergency services in eastern Valencia reported a tragic death toll of 51 people on Wednesday. ditionally, officials from Castilla La Mancha region confirmed that an 88-year-old woman was found deceased in Cuenca.

Rainstorms caused flooding in a wide swath of sourn and eastern Spain, stretching from Malaga to Valencia on Tuesday. Floods of mud-colored water tumbled vehicles down streets at high speeds, while pieces of wood swirled in water with household items. Police and rescue services used helicopters to lift people from ir homes and rubber boats to reach drivers trapped on roofs of cars.

Authorities reported several missing people late Tuesday, but following morning brought shocking announcement of dozens found de.

“Yesterday was worst day of my life,” Ricardo Gabaldón, mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national brocaster RTVE. He said several people were still missing in his town.

“We were trapped like rats. Cars and trash containers were flowing down streets. water was rising to three meters,” he said.

Over 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units were deployed to devastated areas. Rescue services were also rushing eastwards from or parts of Spain. Spain’s central government set up a crisis committee to help coordinate rescue efforts.

One elderly couple was rescued from upper story of ir house by a military unit using a bulldozer, with three soldiers accompanying m in huge shovel.

Television reports showed videos shot by panicked residents documenting how waters flooded ground floors of apartments, streams bursting ir banks and at least one bridge giving way.

Spain has experienced similar autumn storms in recent years. Nothing, however, compared to devastation over last two days, which recalls floods in Germany and Belgium in 2021 that saw 230 people killed.

death toll will likely rise with or regions yet to report victims and search efforts continuing in areas with difficult access.

In village of Letur in neighboring Castilla La Mancha region, Mayor Sergio Marín Sánchez said six people were missing.

Spain is still recovering from a severe drought and continues to register record high temperatures in recent years. Scientists say increased episodes of extreme wear are likely linked to climate change.

storms unleashed a freak hailstorm which punched holes in car windows and greenhouses as well as a rarely seen torno.

Transport was also impacted. A high-speed train with nearly 300 people on board derailed near Malaga, although rail authorities said no one was hurt. High-speed train service between Valencia city and Mrid was interrupted, as were several commuter lines.

Valencian regional President Carlos Mazón urged people to stay at home so as not to complicate rescue efforts, with travel by ro alrey difficult due to fallen trees and wrecked vehicles.

As waters fell, thick layers of mud covered streets.

“ neighborhood is destroyed, all cars are on top of each or, it’s literally smashed up,” Christian Viena, a bar owner in Valencian village of Barrio de la Torre, said by phone. "Everything is a total wreck, everything is rey to be thrown away. mud is almost 30 centimeters deep.”

Outside Viena's bar, people were venturing out to see what y could salvage. Cars were piled up and streets were filled with clumps of water-logged branches.

Located south of Barcelona down Mediterranean coast, Valencia is a tourist destination known for its beaches, citrus orchards, and as home of Spain’s paella rice dish.

rain h subsided in Valencia by late Wednesday morning. But more storms were forecast through Thursday, according to Spain’s national wear service.

(With inputs from AP)