51 Dead After Floods Hit Spain

Spain’s eastern Valencia region has been devastated by torrential rains that have led to severe flash floods, claiming at least 51 lives, according to regional authorities.

Carlos Mazon, head of the regional government, confirmed on Wednesday that emergency services have been recovering bodies, although further details are withheld to respect the families of the deceased.

Triggered by unprecedented downpours, the storms have inundated areas across Spain’s southeastern regions, with the impact most severe in Valencia and the eastern province of Albacete.

In addition to the fatalities, at least seven individuals remain missing, including a truck driver in Valencia and six people from Letur, Albacete. Authorities are urgently searching for those unaccounted for.

The rain has delivered record-breaking amounts of water, with regions like Turis and Utiel registering up to 200mm (7.9 inches) within hours, sparking red weather alerts across Valencia.

Videos shared on social media depict harrowing scenes of residents stranded in floodwaters, some clinging to trees to escape the powerful currents.

Floodwaters have rendered highways impassable, upended vehicles, disrupted rail service, and forced flight cancellations.

Power outages were reported across large sections of Valencia, leaving communities isolated. In the town of Utiel, Mayor Ricardo Gabaldón told RTVE that search operations are ongoing for additional missing persons.