Almost 100 people, including a 71-year-old British man, have died in southern and eastern Spain following the deadliest flash flooding in the country for three decades.
At least 95 people, reportedly including a baby and elderly woman, have been killed by the floods.
A British man died in hospital hours after being rescued from his home on the outskirts of Alhaurín de la Torre, Málaga, according to the president of the Andalusian government, Juanma Morena.
He said the man had been suffering from hypothermia and died after suffering several cardiac arrests.
As torrential rain – amounting to a year’s worth in just eight hours in some areas – inundated cities such as Valencia and Malaga, many found themselves "trapped like rats" in their homes and cars, surrounded by rapidly rising floodwaters.
Police and rescuers used helicopters to lift people from their homes and cars as mud-coloured water quickly filled streets in dozens of villages, towns and cities.
More than 1,000 soldiers were deployed to the worst-hit areas to search for those unaccounted for.
Key points
- Scientist warns of more flash flooding
- British man killed in flash floods
- People in Valencia are ‘trapped like rats’, warns local mayor
- Spanish town gets year worth of rain in just 8 hours
- Barcelona on high alert as beaches closed over risk of tornado
Death toll expected to rise in Spain
03:30
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The death toll will likely rise with other regions of Spain yet to report victims and search efforts continuing in hard-to-reach places.
“We are facing a very difficult situation,” minister of territory policies Angel Víctor Torres said.
“The fact that we can’t give a number of the missing persons indicates the magnitude of the tragedy.”
Spain has experienced similar autumn storms in recent years. Nothing, however, compared to the devastation over the last two days, which recalls floods in Germany and Belgium in 2021 in which 230 people were killed.
Rescue personnel and more than 1,100 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units were deployed to affected areas. Spain’s central government set up a crisis committee to coordinate rescue efforts.
Spanish government declares three days of mourning
03:16
Alex Croft
It’s was confirmed on Wednesday by the Spanish government that there will be three days of mourning for the victims of the flash floods.
At least 95 people have died in the extreme weather, which hit the Valencia and Castilla La Mancha regions on Tuesday.
Ángel Víctor Torres, the minister responsible for territorial policy, told reporters that the three days of mourning will begin on Thursday.
Valencia worst hit with 92 recorded deaths
03:07
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Valencia in eastern Spain is one of the worst-hit provinces with at least 92 deaths recorded till last night.
“Yesterday was the worst day of my life,” Ricardo Gabaldin, the mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE. He said six residents perished and more are missing.
“We were trapped like rats. Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to 3m,” he said.
The flooding in Spain is the worst since 1973, when at least 150 people died. The 1957 storm dumped around 250 mm of rain, but this week’s had reports of more than 490 mm in just eight hours.
Portugal expresses ‘greatest regret'
02:31
Alex Croft
Portugese prime minister Luis Montenegro expressed his “greatest regret” following the devastating floods.
“The Portuguese government expresses its greatest regret at the high number of victims of the floods recorded in Spain, shows solidarity with all the Spanish people and the @desdelamoncloa [Government of Spain] and makes itself available for all necessary help,” he wrote in a post on X.
O governo português expressa o maior pesar pelo elevado número de vítimas das inundações registados em Espanha, mostra solidariedade a todo o povo espanhol e ao @desdelamoncloa e disponibiliza-se para toda a ajuda necessária. @sanchezcastejon
— Luís Montenegro (@LMontenegropm) October 30, 2024
Flood leaves a trail of carnage along roads in Valencia
01:42
Alex Croft
The severely damaged cars and the positions they were discovered on Wednesday morning reflect the power of the flooding in Valencia on Tuesday.
As residents start to clean up the damage, these images show the task they have ahead.
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has promised those impacted that they will get the full support of the country as they look to rebuild their communities.
Watch: Moment bridge falls apart due to strong floods
00:50
Alex Croft
The intense rainfall caused by the recent dana storm in Spain has triggered a series of incidents that have kept residents on high alert since Tuesday.
Among the most striking scenes is the collapse of a bridge in a key area of Valencia.
The force of the water swept away the structure in the area of Picanya.
El agua se lleva por delante uno de los puentes del barranco de Poyo a su paso por Picanya. Me acaban de enviar este video. pic.twitter.com/kqsrOPB8kG
— Javier Mantrana (@Javier_Mantrana) October 29, 2024
‘The entire nation mourns with you’ - PM
00:00
Alex Croft
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez earlier delivered a speech following the deadly aftermath of the dana flooding.
He urged people across the country to be cautious and reassured those in affected areas by saying: “We won’t abandon you.”
In his televised address, Sanchez also committed to rebuilding the damaged infrastructure, adding: “For those still searching for their loved ones, the whole of Spain weeps with you.”
Scientist warns of more flash flooding
Wednesday 30 October 2024 23:00
Jane Dalton
A leading scientist has warned similar flooding will happen again and that people need to understand the risks.
“We’re going to see more of these flash floods in the future. This has the fingerprints of climate change on it, these terribly heavy rainfalls, and these devastating floods,” said Hannah Cloke, professor of hydrology at the University of Reading.
She said even early warnings of heavy rain based on reliable forecasts did little to prevent the fatalities and people needed to understand the real danger.
“Just telling people that it’s going to rain quite a lot, it’s not good enough...We could see that people were putting themselves at risk driving in floodwaters, and there was just so much water that it has overwhelmed these places.”
Experts say it will take time to analyse all the data to determine if this particular Dana was caused by climate change, but most agree that an increase in temperature of the Mediterranean and warmer and more humid atmospheric conditions contribute to producing more frequent extreme episodes.
Crops expected to be badly damaged
Wednesday 30 October 2024 22:15
Jane Dalton
One of Spain’s largest farmers’ groups said it expected significant damage to crops.
Spain is the world’s largest exporter of fresh and dried oranges, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, and Valencia accounts for about 60 per cent of the country’s citrus production, according to Valencian Institute of Agriculture Investigations.
Scientists say extreme weather events are becoming more frequent in Europe due to climate change. Meteorologists think the warming of the Mediterranean, which increases water evaporation, plays a key role in making torrential rains more severe.
Full report: More than 90 dead after torrential rain causes flash flooding
Wednesday 30 October 2024 21:30
Jane Dalton
At least 95 people, dogs and horses killed
Wednesday 30 October 2024 20:45
Jane Dalton
Dogs and horses also died, as well as at least 95 people, a resident of Alora in the south said.
Power company i-DE said about 150,000 customers in Valencia had no electricity.
Emergency services in the region urged citizens to avoid all road travel and to follow further official advice, and a military unit specialised in rescue operations was deployed in some places to help local emergency workers.
“(The floodwaters) took away lots of dogs, lots of horses, they took away everything,” said Antonio Carmona, a construction worker.
‘A river came through'
Wednesday 30 October 2024 20:00
Jane Dalton
Residents in the worst-hit places described seeing people clambering onto the roofs of their cars as a churning tide of brown water gushed through the streets, uprooting trees and dragging away chunks of masonry from buildings.
“It’s a river that came through,” said Denis Hlavaty, who waited for rescue on a ledge in the petrol station where he works in the regional capital.
“The doors were torn away and I spent the night there, surrounded by water that was 2 metres (6.5ft) deep.”
Footage shot by emergency services from a helicopter showed bridges that had collapsed and cars and trucks piled on top of each other on highways between flooded fields outside the city of Valencia, on Spain’s east coast.
Three days of mourning after Spain’s deadliest flooding in nearly 30 years
Wednesday 30 October 2024 23:59
Jane Dalton
Spain’s government said it would declare three days of mourning starting tomorrow for those killed.
The death toll appears to be the worst in Europe from flooding since 2021 when at least 185 people died in Germany.
It is the deadliest flood-related disaster in Spain since 1996, when 87 people died near a town in the Pyrenees mountains.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said Europe was ready to help. “What we’re seeing in Spain is devastating,” she said on social media.
At least 95 now dead
Wednesday 30 October 2024 23:57
Athena Stavrou
The death toll from flash floods in Valencia and eastern Spain has reached at least 95, Spanish officials said.
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said dozens of towns had been flooded.
“For those who are looking for their loved ones, all of Spain feels your pain,” Mr Sanchez said in a televised address. “Our priority is to help you. We are putting all the resources necessary so that we can recover from this tragedy.”
British man, 71, killed in floods
Wednesday 30 October 2024 23:58
Athena Stavrou
A 71-year-old British man has been confirmed as one of the casualties of the flash floods.
President of the Andalusian government, Juanma Morena, said the man had died in hospital hours after being rescued from his home on the outskirts of Alhaurín de la Torre, Málaga.
He added that he was suffering from hypothermia and died after suffering several cardiac arrests.
⚫Lamentamos confirmar que un británico de 71 años ha fallecido en el hospital horas después de ser rescatado de su casa a las afueras de Alhaurín de la Torre, Málaga. Presentaba hipotermia y falleció tras sufrir varias paradas cardiorrespiratorias.
— Juanma Moreno (@JuanMa_Moreno) October 30, 2024
Un abrazo para su familia.
Flooding brought worst day of my life, says mayor
Wednesday 30 October 2024 23:59
Jane Dalton
The mayor of a town where six people died and more were unaccounted for says it was the worst day of his life.
Ricardo Gabaldon, mayor of Utiel in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE: “We were trapped like rats. Cars and rubbish containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to 3 meters (9.8ft).”
Searchers worked to find survivors and victims, with countless numbers still missing.
Pictured: Dana storm leaves destroyed towns and hundred of displaced
Wednesday 30 October 2024 16:40
Salma Ouaguira
Dana storm causes £5.6m in damages in southern Spain
Wednesday 30 October 2024 16:30
Salma Ouaguira
The City Council of El Ejido (Almería) has estimated that the damages caused by heavy rain and hailstorms since last Monday amount to €6.8 million (£5.6m) in public spaces, buildings, and municipal facilities.
Mayor Francisco Góngora and local authorities, who have quantified the damages, said that the destruction has been "substantial and severe”.
Mr Góngora said the storm has affected "more than thirty municipal buildings,” particularly in the areas of El Ejido, Santa María del Águila, Almerimar, and Las Norias.
At least 34 dead in a town ‘totally cut off’ in Valencia
Wednesday 30 October 2024 16:23
Salma Ouaguira
The mayor of a town in Valencia, Paiporta, has confirmed at least 34 dead due to the dana floods.
Maribel Albalat, from the town of only 25,000 inhabitants, has said the area is “totally cut off, and nothing is working,” and they have “no water.”
The mayor added that the town is trying to “open communication routes” and urged those unable to locate family members in Paiporta to go to the Civil Guard Command in Calamocha Street, Valencia.
Pictured: Military deployed to assist rescue teams in Valencia
Wednesday 30 October 2024 16:14
Salma Ouaguira
Andalusia issues rare red emergency level and urges for ‘maximum caution’
Wednesday 30 October 2024 16:06
Salma Ouaguira
Andalusia has raised its emergency level to red due to the severe risk of flooding in the Cádiz countryside.
The decision follows Spanish meteorological agency’s red warning of heavy rains - which has already caused flooding and road closures in Jerez de la Frontera.
The region has now sent warnings to all mobile phones in the red alert area, urging residents to be extremely caution and avoid travel.
Andalusian President Juan Manuel Moreno has called for "maximum caution."
In pictures: Heavy floods leave cars piled up on the streets of Valencia
Wednesday 30 October 2024 15:54
Salma Ouaguira
Watch: Moment bridge falls apart due to strong floods in
Wednesday 30 October 2024 15:44
Salma Ouaguira
The intense rainfall caused by the recent dana storm in Spain has triggered a series of incidents that have kept residents on high alert since Tuesday.
Among the most striking scenes is the collapse of a bridge in a key area of Valencia.
The force of the water swept away the structure in the area of Picanya.
El agua se lleva por delante uno de los puentes del barranco de Poyo a su paso por Picanya. Me acaban de enviar este video. pic.twitter.com/kqsrOPB8kG
— Javier Mantrana (@Javier_Mantrana) October 29, 2024
Pictured: Barcelona under high alert for flooding and heavy rains
Wednesday 30 October 2024 15:34
Salma Ouaguira
High-speed trains between Madrid and Valencia cancelled for the next 4 days
Wednesday 30 October 2024 15:24
Salma Ouaguira
Spain’s transport minister Óscar Puente has announced the high-speed rail services (AVE) between Madrid and Valencia will be cancelled for at least the next four days.
In a message on X, he said: “The damage to the high-speed rail service between Madrid and Valencia is significant.
“Resuming service within the next four days does not seem possible.
“Once we have a definitive assessment of the time needed to restore the line, we will make it public.”
Los daños en la alta velocidad entre Madrid y Valencia son importantes. Reanudar el servicio en los próximos 4 días no parece posible. Cuando tengamos un diagnóstico definitivo sobre los plazos necesarios para recomponer la línea lo haremos público. pic.twitter.com/A5lOLSShhg
— Oscar Puente (@oscar_puente_) October 30, 2024
Heavy rain floods streets and areas of Jerez
Wednesday 30 October 2024 15:18
Salma Ouaguira
The dana weather system affecting much of Spain has caused flooding in various parts of the city of Jerez this afternoon.
Streets in the city centre, such as Provera, Larga, and Honda, have been inundated,
The floods have displaced containers and impacted vehicles on streets and under bridges that have been submerged.
‘The entire nation mourns with you’ - PM
Wednesday 30 October 2024 15:11
Salma Ouaguira
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez earlier delivered a speech following the deadly aftermath of the dana flooding.
He urged people across the country to be cautious and reassured those in affected areas by saying: “We won’t abandon you.”
In his televised address, Sanchez also committed to rebuilding the damaged infrastructure, adding: “For those still searching for their loved ones, the whole of Spain weeps with you.”
Flood leaves a trail of carnage along roads in Valencia
Wednesday 30 October 2024 15:00
Alex Ross
The severely damaged cars and the positions they’ve been discovered in this morning reflect the power of the flooding in Valencia yesterday.
As residents start to clean up the damage, these images show the task they have ahead.
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has promised those impacted that they will get the full support of the country as they look to rebuild their communities from today.
Portugal ‘expresses its greatest regret’ - PM
Wednesday 30 October 2024 14:54
Alex Ross
Often seen as Spain’s closest ally, Portugal has reacted to the tragic events, with prime minister Luis Montenegro issuing a statement on X, formerly Twitter.
He wrote: The Portuguese government expresses its greatest regret at the high number of victims of the floods recorded in Spain, shows solidarity with all the Spanish people and the government and makes itself available for all necessary help.”
O governo português expressa o maior pesar pelo elevado número de vítimas das inundações registados em Espanha, mostra solidariedade a todo o povo espanhol e ao @desdelamoncloa e disponibiliza-se para toda a ajuda necessária. @sanchezcastejon
— Luís Montenegro (@LMontenegropm) October 30, 2024
Spanish government declares three days of mourning
Wednesday 30 October 2024 14:48
Alex Ross
It’s just been confirmed by the Spanish government that there will be three days of mourning for the victims of the flash floods.
At least 64 people have died in the extreme weather, which hit the Valencia and Castilla La Mancha regions on Tuesday.
Ángel Víctor Torres, the minister responsible for territorial policy, has just told reporters that the three days of mourning will begin on Thursday.
Elderly couple rescued from neighbour’s home
Wednesday 30 October 2024 14:34
Alex Ross
As the water levels rose, those most at risk were the elderly, with many holding up in homes as they waited for the danger to pass.
We’re seeing images today of some of those people now being rescued, including this couple were were stranded in a neighbour’s home.
Soldiers from Spain’s emergency response have been helping rescue efforts, with some people still trapped inside homes.
PINNED: Floods in Spain: What we know so far
Wednesday 30 October 2024 14:15
Alex Croft
- At least 95 people have been killed after torrential rain led to flash floods in villages, towns and cities across eastern and southern Spain. Of those, 92 died in the Valencia region, while two were killed in the Castilla La Mancha provence and one died elsewhere.
- More than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response unit have been deployed to the most devastated areas to help search for missing people, and to clear up the damage caused by the floods.
- Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has warned the danger is not over despite rain having subsided in Valencia by late Wednesday morning, with the storm heading north. “For those who are looking for their loved ones, all of Spain feels your pain,” he said in a televised message.
- The project to rebuild towns and cities following the damage will be huge, said Mr Sanchez, who also hinted he could call on the help of European Union states. Germany, Portugal, and the EU have already offered their support.
- Spain’s state weather agency, AEMET, has issued alerts for regions in the south west and north east of the country, with heavy showers forecast.
Flights in Spain cancelled and lines restricted due DANA flooding
Wednesday 30 October 2024 13:50
Salma Ouaguira
Enaire, Spain's air traffic management authority, has reported that airline operations are being impacted by the movement of the recent weather system toward western Andalucia and northeastern Spain.
Air traffic controllers have cancelled some flights, and restricted some at Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
Passengers planning to fly are advised to check with their airlines for updates.
Enaire said it is closely monitoring the weather forecasts from Aemet, which has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in Andalucia and the Valencia region for Wednesday.
Pictured: Trains to Madrid and Valencia suspended due to rail damage
Wednesday 30 October 2024 13:40
Salma Ouaguira
Catalonia issues red alert for extreme risk in Barcelona
Wednesday 30 October 2024 13:30
Salma Ouaguira
The catalan Meteorological service has issued a red alert for coastal regions due to the imminent threat of an extreme storm.
Four amber warnings have been issued for the Barcelonès, Vallès Oriental, Alt Penedès, and other areas.
Forecasts predict significant rainfall accumulations, hailstones larger than two centimetres, wind gusts exceeding 25 km/h, and potential tornadoes.
This red alert represents the highest level of danger on the meteorological warning scale.
Local authorities to urge residents to exercise extreme caution in the coming hours.
El Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya emet avís per temps violent (#avisosSMP) ⚠
— Meteocat (@meteocat) October 30, 2024
➡ Dc 11:58 h - 13:57 h.
➡ Possibilitat de pedra de diàmetre > 2 cm, ratxes de vent > 25 m/s, esclafits i/o tornados o mànegues.
➡ Grau de perill màx. 6/6
Hora local (h) = TU+1 pic.twitter.com/BxKse60TlT
In pictures: Aftermath of DANA flooding as at least 63 confirmed dead
Wednesday 30 October 2024 13:20
Salma Ouaguira
Barcelona on high alert as beaches closed over risk of tornado
Wednesday 30 October 2024 13:04
Salma Ouaguira
Local police in Barcelona have issued a strong warning for residents to avoid driving and to clear flood-prone areas.
The Generalitat has forecast wind gusts exceeding 90 kilometers per hour and hailstones larger than two centimeters.
Meteocat, Catalonia’s meteorological agency, has announced it has now closed the access to beaches across the touristic city due to high risk of tornado and heavy rain.
The alert particularly affects local regions of Baix Llobregat and surrounding areas, including Garraf, Barcelonès, Vallès Occidental, and Alt Penedès.
In a social media message, the Mossos urged people to stay safe by avoiding unnecessary travel and steering clear of areas vulnerable to flooding.
Spanish town gets year worth of rain in just 8 hours
Wednesday 30 October 2024 13:00
Salma Ouaguira
Heavy rainfall in the town of Chiba, Valencia, has recorded a record-breaking of 491 litres per square metre yesterday.
According to Spain’s meteorological agency, the town had this amount of rain in just eight hours yesterday.
⛈️Lluvias registradas el 29 de octubre.
— AEMET (@AEMET_Esp) October 30, 2024
Acumulaciones extraordinarias en la provincia de Valencia: se llegaron a superar 300 l/m² en la zona entre Utiel y Chiva.
En Chiva, de hecho, se recogieron 491 l/m² en solo ocho horas: prácticamente lo que puede llover en un año completo. pic.twitter.com/3a3Z5flP8i
Superstores used as refuge in Valencia for more than 700 displaced by DANA
Wednesday 30 October 2024 12:50
Salma Ouaguira
An Ikea store in Alfafar, Valencia, has become a refuge for more than 700 people displaced by the recent DANA flooding.
The Civil Guard is facilitating the transfer of affected people to the store, according to local reports.
The store is providing essential supplies, including water, food, beds, and even dry clothing and uniforms.
An Ikea spokesperson from the region said: “The atmosphere inside our store is calm, despite the anxiety and uncertainty everyone is experiencing.”
Other Spanish supermarket, including Alcampo in Alboraya and El Corte Inglés in Valencia, have also provided overnight shelter for locals.
People in Valencia are ‘trapped like rats’, says Mayor
Wednesday 30 October 2024 12:50
Salma Ouaguira
Valencia’s local mayor has said people in the region are “trapped like rats” as the floods continue to hit the country.
Ricardo Gabaldon, mayor of the town of Utiel, told Spanish broadcaster RTVE that yesterday “was the worst day of my life”.
He said: “We were trapped like rats. Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to three metres.”
Watch: Driver clings to car roof as water surges through roads
Wednesday 30 October 2024 12:44
Salma Ouaguira
Forensic teams deployed for recovery efforts in Valencia
Wednesday 30 October 2024 12:40
Salma Ouaguira
The Institute of Legal medicine of Valencia has mobilised nine forensic teams to the areas impacted by the DANA disaster.
The teams are ready to recover bodies and conducting necessary identification, according to local reports.
The devastating flooding and heavy rainfall have left at least 51 deaths in Valencia.