Barcelona is facing a red alert warning for dangerous torrential train, with part of the city, including the airport, beginning to flood.
Fatalities from Spain’s worst flash floods in modern history rose to 217 almost all of them in the Valencia region and more than 60 in the suburb of Paiporta. Hundreds are still missing
The deadly storm that swept through Barcelona led to the suspension of 70 departing flights and the diversion of another 18 at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, according to operator Aena.
The heavy rainfall has also caused flooding in key areas, including the T-1 terminal and parking facilities.
Footage from the city showed the runway completely submerged as one plane aborted a landing and the few planes left on the tarmac were forced to sludge through several inches of flood water.
Meanwhile, in Valencia, the search continued for bodies inside houses and thousands of wrecked cars strewn in the streets, on highways, and in canals that channeled last week's floods into populated areas.
In the Aldaia municipality, some 50 soldiers, police and firefighters, some wearing wetsuits, searched in a huge shopping center's underground parking lot for possible victims. They used a small boat and spotlights to move around in the huge structure with vehicles submerged in at least a meter of murky water.
Key points
- Spanish weather agency warns of ‘extreme danger’ due to heavy rainfall in Catalonia
- British couple confirmed dead in floods - report
- Footage shows flooding Catalonia amid extreme weather warnings
- ‘Nobody did anything to avoid it’, King Felipe told by protestor
- Furious crowd shouts ‘murderer’ at King Felipe
In pictures: Spanish residents band together in aftermath of flooding
22:00
Barney Davis
Grandaughter of British couple killed in Spanish floods speaks out
21:30
Barney Davis
Don Turner, 78, and his wife Terry, 74, had not been seen since flash floods swept through eastern Spain.
Their daughter, Ruth O’Loughlin, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, confirmed to the BBC that her parents’ bodies had been found in their car on Saturday.
She had said her parents had moved to Spain a decade ago because they had “always wanted to live in the sunshine” and criticised the “diabolicial” response from Spanish authorities.
Her neice wrote on Facebook: “This tragedy that will haunt us for a lifetime. If only the people knew the floods were coming. We will never forget.
“Thank you Mom and Auntie Ruth for being so strong and doing the family, and Nan and Grandad proud.
“We love you.”
Catalan Police post harrowing video of desperate rescue
20:40
Barney Davis
Catalan Police have posted a video of a desperate rescue of a man trapped in his car in Baix Llobregat, a coastal region just south of Barcelona.
Catalan Civil Protectionissued a mobile phone alert to residents in Baix Llobregat, Barcelonès, Garraf, Maresme, Vallès Occidental, Vallès Oriental, and Selva counties urging people to limit movement and avoid approaching riverbanks or ravines on Monday morning.
The first message was issued at 8.30am in Baix Llobregat before hours of heavy rainfall affected surrounding areas.
♀️ Hem rescatat un home atrapat al cotxe en una zona inundada a causa de la #DANA, al Baix Llobregat
— Mossos (@mossos) November 4, 2024
En cas de pluges torrencials, evita desplaçaments i no agafis el vehicle. Segueix les indicacions d'@emergenciescat
I per demanar ajuda, contacta amb el @112 pic.twitter.com/6VXBqM75OF
Nearly 3,000 dead animals removed from flooded farms
20:10
Barney Davis
The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture has removed over 2,950 dead animals from farms in areas hit by the flash floods.
Local officials removed deceased animals from 17 farms in Valencia towns, including pigs, sheep horses and poultry
Hard-hit towns at risk of diseases over floodwaters and decomposing bodies
19:10
Salma Ouaguira
Spanish public health experts have warned over immediate health risks associated with stagnant floodwaters and decomposing bodies.
The Ministry of Health has insisted that water contamination from dead animals or humans is not currently a public health issue.
However, residents remain at high risk over gastrointestinal illnesses from drinking contaminated water, injuries from debris, and the proliferation of mosquitoes spreading diseases.
Public health societies, emergency response teams, and NGOs are currently working on the ground in the most affected areas like Paiporta and Chiva in Valencia to ensure the safety and hygiene of residents.
With dozens more feared to be dead, health officials have called local authorities to speed up search of bodies and clean-up operations to prevent further risks.
Rescuers fear discovering underwater grave in mall car park
18:30
Barney Davis
In Valencia, the search continued for bodies inside houses and thousands of wrecked cars strewn in the streets, on highways, and in canals that channelled last week’s floods into populated areas.
Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said that authorities can still not give a reliable estimate of the missing. In the Aldaia municipality, some 50 soldiers, police and firefighters, some wearing wetsuits, searched in a huge shopping centre’s underground parking lot for possible victims.
They used a small boat and spotlights to move around in the huge structure with vehicles submerged in at least a meter of murky water.
Police spokesman Ricardo Gutiïerrez told reporters that so far some 50 vehicles had been found and no bodies had been discovered there.
The Bonaire shopping mall’s 1,800 underground parking spaces quickly filled with water and mud on Tuesday and Wednesday when the southern outskirts of Valencia were hit by a tsunami-like flooding. The team is using four pumps to remove the water.
Army sends soldiers to provide aid and deter looters as anger over death toll mounts
18:00
Barney Davis
Public anger is mounting over the disaster that has killed at least 217 people with dozens of others still unaccounted for. Almost all of deaths occurred in the Valencia region and more than 60 in the suburb of Paiporta.
The army sent about 5,000 soldiers over the weekend to help distribute food and water, clean up streets and guard against looters and a further 2,500 would join them, Defence Minister Margarita Robles told state-owned radio RNE.
A warship with 104 marine infantry soldiers as well as trucks with food and water arrived in Valencia port even as a strong hailstorm pummelled Barcelona some 300 km (186 miles) to the north.
Spain’s king responds as angry residents throw mud on Valencia visit
17:15
Tom Watling
Why were Spain’s ‘catastrophic’ floods so deadly? Everything we know
16:50
Tom Watling
70 flights cancelled and 18 diverted in Barcelona airport
16:30
Barney Davis
The deadly storm that swept through Barcelona has led to the suspension of 70 departing flights and the diversion of another 18 at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, according to operator Aena.
The heavy rainfall has also caused flooding in key areas, including the T-1 terminal and parking facilities.Passengers have been restricted from the areas while airport staff continue to clear the water and restore normal operations.
Aena said that the storm has significantly disrupted all activities at the airport, resulting in “considerable” delays after air traffic controllers were forced to space out flight departures.
Passengers have been advised to check the state of their flights online and prepare for potential delays as the airport continues to manage the impact of the floods.
What caused the devastating flash flooding in Spain?
16:10
Tom Watling
In pictures: Spanish residents wrestle with the mud after heavy rainfall
15:51
Tom Watling
Spain mobilises thousands of soldiers in flood relief effort
15:36
Tom Watling
Spain has sent more soldiers to its flood-hit east where rescuers searched for more bodies and anger spread over the official handling of a disaster that has killed at least 217 people.
The army sent about 5,000 soldiers over the weekend to help distribute food and water, clean up streets and guard against looters. A further 2,500 would join them, Defence Minister Margarita Robles told state-owned radio RNE.
A warship carrying 104 marine infantry soldiers as well as trucks with food and water was approaching Valencia port even as a strong hailstorm pummelled Barcelona some 300 km (186 miles) to the north. An alert from regional authorities warned of potential landslides and more flooding.
Spain’s reaction shows it’s a dangerous time to be a monarch
15:21
Tom Watling
Firefighters search flooded underground car parks - picture
15:02
Tom Watling
In pictures: Barcelona residents stranded during floods
14:46
Tom Watling
Spanish rescue services scour submerged underground car parks for casualties
14:31
Tom Watling
In Valencia, the search continues for bodies inside houses and thousands of wrecked cars strewn in the streets, on highways, and in canals that channeled last week's floods into populated areas.
Spain's interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said that authorities can still not give a reliable estimate of the missing. Spanish national television RTVE, however, has broadcast pleas for help by several desperate people whose loved ones are unaccounted for.
In the Aldaia municipality, some 50 soldiers, police and firefighters, some wearing wetsuits, searched in a huge shopping center's underground parking lot for possible victims. They used a small boat and spotlights to move around in the huge structure with vehicles submerged in at least a meter of murky water.
Police spokesman Ricardo Gutierrez told reporters that so far some 50 vehicles had been found and no bodies had been discovered there.
The Bonaire shopping mall's 1,800 underground parking spaces quickly filled with water and mud on Tuesday and Wednesday when the southern outskirts of Valencia were hit by a tsunami-like flooding. The team is using four pumps to remove the water.
Citizens, volunteers and thousands of soldiers and police officers pressed on with their gargantuan clean-up effort to clear out mud and debris.
Barcelona aiport flooded - picture
14:14
Tom Watling
Watch: Barcelona Airport runway resembles river as extreme rainfall hits
14:00
Tom Watling
British couple missing for days in Spain floods found dead in car
13:44
Tom Watling
Barcelona Airport runway flooded as country put on red alert
13:30
Tom Watling
Footage shows flooding in town outside Barcelona
13:12
Tom Watling
Footage has shown severe flooding in the town of Viladecans just outside of Barcelona.
Arriben imatges dels efectes de la potent tempesta ⛈️ que ha afectat Viladecans.
— Projecte 4 Estacions (@P4Estacions) November 4, 2024
L'EMA del @meteocat ha acumulat 130 mm ⚠️#Projecte4Estacions pic.twitter.com/gZumFKjV7N
50 cars recovered in Aldaia municipality
13:02
Rachel Hagan
Police spokesman Ricardo Gutierrez told reporters that so far some 50 vehicles had been found in the Aldaia municipality, and no bodies had been discovered there.
He said soldiers, police and firefighters, some wearing wetsuits, searched a huge shopping centre’s underground car park for possible victims. They used a small boat and spotlights to move around in the huge structure with vehicles submerged in at least 3ft of murky water.
Spanish army arrives in Valencia - picture
13:01
Tom Watling
Crashing waves in a hilltop village: Spain’s night of terror
12:44
Tom Watling
People clear mud from a street in Valencia after mass flooding
12:27
Tom Watling
Rescuers find no casualties so far in Valencia's underground shopping mall car park
12:15
Tom Watling
Spanish rescue teams have not found any casualties so far in Valencia’s Bonaire shopping mall underground car park, the interior ministry said on Monday.
The parking was flooded during the country’s worst flash floods in modern history last week that left at least 217 people dead.
The ministry said work was continuing in the parking lot, which has 5,700 parking spaces, to find out if there may be fatalities.
Rescue teams are now focusing their efforts on underground car parks, garages and basements that were flooded within hours.
Valencia residents observe minute of silence for those killed in flooding
12:08
Tom Watling
Further footage shows extent of flooding in Barcelona airport
12:00
Tom Watling
Així està ara mateix l’Aeroport del Prat. Molts vols es desvien a altres destinacions. El pàrquing es comença a inundar. Els treballadors de moment han d’anar-hi, l’operativa de terra es manté igual. @SERCatalunya pic.twitter.com/gdy1IVb9nq
— Ferran Dalmau (@FerranDalmau) November 4, 2024
Heavy rain hits Barcelona area
11:50
Tom Watling
The Spanish municipality of Gava just outside of Barcelona has suffered severe flooding as extreme weather hits the Catalonia area, footage has shown.
ha parado la lluvia y ha vuelto la electricidad, situación en Gavà Barcelona 11am pic.twitter.com/fmvlHOENxS
— y (@taleofyone) November 4, 2024
Dozens of Barcelona flights cancelled amid flooding
11:48
Tom Watling
Spain’s airport operator has cancelled 50 flights at El Prat airport amid rainstorms in Barcelona.
Previously, they had cancelled just 15.
Barcelona airport floods - video
11:43
Tom Watling
Footage published online has shown Barcelona’s El Prat airport hit by severe rainfall, with the runway completely flooded.
JUST NOW BARCELONA AIRPORT FLOODS
— Weather monitor (@Weathermonitors) November 4, 2024
El Prat Airport inundated:
- Runways submerged
- Hallways flooded with 3cm of water
Airport operations disrupted due to heavy rainfall. #DANA
(Source: Airport Workers) pic.twitter.com/g9WAgM6jaO
Spanish weather agency warns of ‘extreme danger’ due to heavy rainfall in Catalonia
11:36
Tom Watling
Spain’s meteorological agency has warned of “extreme danger” in Catalonia as a result of intense rainfall.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the agency warned of a “very intense downpour” at El Prat airport and in Baix Llobregat.
“Be very careful! Do not travel unless strictly necessary!” they wrote.
⚠️ AVISO ROJO | Litoral de Barcelona.
— AEMET (@AEMET_Esp) November 4, 2024
Peligro extremo por lluvias torrenciales: un chubasco muy intenso ha dejado81 l/m² en el aeropuerto de El Prat.
En el Baix Llobregat pueden acumularse más de 180 l/m² en 24 horas ¡Mucha precaución! ¡No viaje si no es estrictamente necesario! pic.twitter.com/FdDSzOkcwJ
Footage shows flooding Catalonia amid extreme weather warnings
11:26
Tom Watling
#España || Imágenes del municipio de Casteldefells, en la provincia de #Barcelona, comunidad autónoma de #Cataluña, donde se han registrado inundaciones por las lluvias causadas por la DANA. pic.twitter.com/A2mAEkFrO5
— NeuronaSV (@NeuronaSV) November 4, 2024
Torrential rain alert for Barcelona as several flights deviated
11:24
Tom Watling
The Barcelona coastline has been put on red warning for severe torrential rains along its coastline.
The Spanish weather agency reports that 81 litres per square metre have already affected the city’s airport El Prat, with forecasts of over 180 litres expected in the area over the next 24 hours.
Spain’s transport minister Oscar Puente announced a crisis committee has been set up to monitor the impact at the airport - with 15 deviations recorded so far.
Local authorities have issued an alert to mobile phones in coastal regions as the community braces for “continuous and torrential rains” this morning lasting until 1.30pm.
They have called for extreme caution and urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and to keep away from rivers and beaches as, even without rain, they “can swell rapidly”.
Train services have been suspended until 2pm today with several roads closed due to risk of flooding and landslides.
Incidents have already been reported in the city of Tarragona, where firefighters have been rescuing residents after a night of heavy rain and storms.
Spain's minister: 15 flights due landing in Barcelona diverted amid rainstorm
11:16
Tom Watling
Spain‘s transport minister Oscar Puente said airport operator Aena diverted 15 flights that were due to land in Barcelona El Prat airport on Monday morning because of a rainstorm hitting the area.
Trains in Catalonia suspended due to weather warnings
11:01
Tom Watling
Trains in Catalonia have been suspended due to weather issues, the Spanish transport minister has reported.
Oscar Puente, Spanish transport minister, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!
“At the request of Civil Protection, we are suspending all Rodalies Cataluña services until further notice.”
Spain deploys 7,500 troops to flood zone where anger rises at slow help
10:44
Tom Watling
Spain is deploying 7,500 troops to its eastern region hit by devastating floods, the government said on Monday in the face of rising discontent over the response to the catastrophe that has killed at least 217 people.
The army sent about 5,000 soldiers over the weekend to help distribute food and water, clean up streets and protect shops and properties from looters. A further 2,500 would join them, Defence Minister Margarita Robles told state-owned radio RNE.
A warship carrying 104 marine infantry soldiers as well as trucks with food and water was approaching Valencia port even as a strong hailstorm pummelled Barcelona some 300 km (186 miles) to the north.
Rescue teams on Monday were searching for bodies in underground garages including a 5,000-car park at Bonaire shopping mall near Valencia airport as well as river mouths where currents may have deposited bodies.
Fatalities from Spain's worst flash floods in modern history edged higher to 217 on Sunday - almost all of them in the Valencia region and more than 60 in the suburb of Paiporta.
Local residents' anger was focused on late alerts from authorities about the dangers of flooding and a perceived delayed response by emergency services.
UPD: ‘Cold drop’ and flood defences: What caused the devastating flash flooding in Spain?
10:29
Tom Watling
Brit couple killed in Spanish floods had ‘popped out’ for gas
10:15
Tom Watling
The British couple who were killed during the flash floods in Spain had “popped out” to get some gas before becoming trapped.
Terry, 78, and Don Turner, 74, from Staffordshire, had not been seen since Tuesday. Their bodies were discovered on Saturday and identified the following day.
In an interview with the BBC on Friday, the couple’s daughter Ruth O’Loughlin said her mother had told her friends they were “popping out” to get some gas - but they were not heard from afterwards.
The daughter added: “Friends had nipped up there because they hadn’t heard from mum and dad, the key was in the door, they could get into the property, the dogs were there and the car’s gone so they know that mum and dad haven’t gone back.”
Picture shows British couple, found dead in southern Spain
09:54
Tom Watling
In pictures: Emergency services continue the search for flood victims
09:46
Tom Watling
Video: Flash floods drag cars away in Spain as roads turn into rivers
09:37
Tom Watling
British couple confirmed dead in floods - report
09:12
Tom Watling
A British couple who went missing after flash flooding hit their hometown outside Valencia have been confirmed dead.
Terry and Don Turner, from Staffordshire, had not been seen since Tuesday, when heavy downpours flooded their hometown of Pedralba, a 45-minute drive northwest of the east coast city of Valencia.
The couple’s daughter, Ruth O’Loughlin, confirmed to the BBC that her parents’ bodies were found in their car on Saturday. Their nationality has only just been confirmed.
More than 200 people have been killed as a result of the flooding. At least three Brits, including the couple, are among the dead.
Crashing waves in a hilltop village, a night of terror from Spain's floods
09:00
Tom Watling
Is it safe to travel to Spain and should I cancel my holiday after flooding disaster?
08:00
Stuti Mishra
Eastern Spain has been hit with devastating flash flooding this week, the worst flooding disaster the area has experienced in decades.
Rainstorms started on Tuesday (29 October) and continued into Wednesday. In the aftermath of the floods, cars have been piled on the street surrounded by a sea of debris from damaged buildings and structures.
Here is the latest on the situation in Spain and what you need to know about travel.
Read the full article here:
Days after devastating floods, people still await drinking water
07:00
Stuti Mishra
Five days after devastating floods struck eastern Spain, many residents still lack access to basic necessities like drinking water, while internet and mobile phone coverage remain unreliable.
Power was only restored for most people on Saturday as thousands continued to clean up in the absence of electricity.
The burden of clearing the mud and wreckage has largely fallen on residents and volunteers, who continue to dig through the layers of devastation.
In Paiporta, a town of 30,000, city blocks are choked with debris, ruined cars, and layers of mud. Stores and supermarkets lie in ruins, and thousands have been left homeless, their homes ravaged by waves of sludge.
Anger is mounting among residents, who criticise the government’s response as too slow and poorly managed.
One flashpoint of frustration was the delayed emergency alert sent to mobile phones, which came two hours after the floods had already hit Paiporta.
"We have lost everything!" one resident shouted at the King yesterday.
10,000 troops and police officers to be drafted to deal with floods aftermath
06:14
Stuti Mishra
Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has ordered 10,000 troops and police officers to be drafted to deal with the aftermath of the devastating Valencia floods.
The prime minister said it was his nation’s largest peacetime military deployment.Mr Sánchez said the government was mobilising all the resources at its disposal to deal with the “terrible tragedy”.
“There are still dozens of people looking for their loved ones and hundreds of households mourning the loss of a relative, a friend or a neighbour,” he said in a televised address on Saturday morning. “I want to express our deepest love to them and assure them that the government of Spain and the entire state, at all its different administrative levels, is with all of them.”
How Spain’s ‘catastrophic’ floods led to over 200 deaths - explained through pictures
05:00
Holly Evans
At least 217 people are dead after Spain was struck by the worst floods in recent memory that submerged towns, toppled bridges and cut entire communities off from the outside world.
The deadly floods left cars piled up like toys in streets, swallowed homes, and covered entire neighbourhoods in sludge and debris.
Muddy rivers swept away everything in their path – roads, houses and key infrastructure.
Read the full article here:
