This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Unprecedented flooding and major hailstorms slammed parts of southern and eastern Spain from Monday evening into Tuesday.
The port city of Málaga, the island of Mallorca, and the regions of Valencia, Catalonia, Murcia, and eastern Andalucía experienced terrifying walls of mud-laden flash floods roaring through their streets and properties, baseball-sized hail, and severe thunderstorms; unleashing catastrophic damage, and claiming the lives of several people, while some are still reported missing.
Overnight, Valencia’s regional leader, Carlos Mazon advised reporters that numerous bodies had been found in flooded areas by rescue teams searching for people stranded, while emergency rescue crews continued to search for those missing.
Related
The Phenomenon Known As DANA Caused Widespread Flooding of Biblical Proportions and Severe Weather Through Several Regions in Spain
A Country Mourns Its Victims and Begins Assessing the Damage Done by the Powerful Weather System
In what has been identified as catastrophic and heartbreaking, northeastern and southeastern Spain appear to have taken the brunt of the damage and loss of life so far as the powerful weather system and the phenomenon known as DANA made its way through Monday evening into Tuesday. Some regions received up to 13 inches of rain in only four hours, according to Spain’s Meteorological Agency, AEMET.
“Dead bodies have been found, but out of respect for the families, we are not going to provide any further data,” Carlos Mazon said.
While the number of victims has not been revealed by officials in Spain, they have indicated that in the village of Letur, which has a population of less than 1,000 residents, six people have been reported missing thus far. Rescue efforts continue as emergency personnel search for people caught in the historic flooding, utilizing drones to locate the missing.
Related
Video footage of a man and his motorscooter being swept away by floodwaters in Catania, went viral overnight, as a young woman dragged him to safety
As flash flooding of biblical proportions tore through residential streets and highways, those who found themselves trapped by the floodwaters reached out to radio and TV stations in the hope of being rescued. Many areas are inaccessible to emergency rescue personnel due to flooded and collapsed roads, heavy debris, and fallen trees. Some clung to tree limbs and to the top of their cars to keep from being swept away while awaiting rescue.
“I am closely following with concern the reports on missing persons and the damage caused by the storm in recent hours,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on X, urging people to follow the advice of the authorities.
Social media footage of the catastrophic damage devastating parts of Spain, and residents waiting for help, flooded the internet during the storm’s fury overnight. Cars could be seen being washed away, and roads inundated by raging floodwaters.
Spain’s Prime Minister conveyed his deep concerns about those still stranded or missing and has urged people not to travel to the areas affected by the storm, as many flights and trains are still canceled until further notice.
Stay tuned for further updates as we follow the story.