Torrential rain has led to devastating flash floods in the Valencia region in southeastern Spain, which so far have killed at least 51 people and resulted in cars being swept through the streets, a train being derailed and damaged houses and buildings.
Despite all the chaos so far, forecasters have warned of more storms to come.
Now, in dramatic new footage believed to have been filmed in the Valencian area and posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, cars can be seen being carried through the streets by a terrifyingly large river of water.
On Tuesday, authorities in the worst-hit areas had advised people to stay at home and avoid all non-essential travel.
Among those killed in the Valencia region are feared to be children.
In Letur, near the Sierra de Segura, 30 people were trapped after the river running through the town burst its banks.
Other videos shared on social media appear to show people trapped in floodwaters, several of them hanging on to trees to avoid being swept away.
Spanish weather service AEMET reported that Chiva, in the Valencia region, recorded 491 millimetres of rain in just eight hours on Tuesday – the equivalent to a year’s worth of rain. It has declared a red alert in the Valencia region and the second-highest level of alert in parts of Andalusia.
A high-speed train with almost 300 people on board was also derailed near Malaga, but authorities said no one was hurt in the incident. Transport has been severely affected by the flooding, with rail lines elsewhere also disrupted and several flights due to land in Valencia being diverted to other cities, or cancelled.
Authorities have used helicopters to rescue some residents from their homes. Radio and TV stations have also reportedly received hundreds of calls for help from people trapped in flooded areas or searching for loved ones. Police have issued an emergency hotline and asked people to phone 9006 5112 to report people who are missing.
Over 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units were deployed to the devastated areas.
“Yesterday was the worst day of my life,” Ricardo Gabaldón, the mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE, adding that several people were still missing in his town.
“We were trapped like rats. Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to three metres.”
While the rain subsided by late Wednesday morning, storms were forecast to continue through Thursday, according to Spain’s national weather service.
Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia said they “devastated” by news of the storm: “Our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the more than 50 deceased.
“Strength, courage and all the necessary support for all those affected.
“Our warmest message and recognition to local and regional authorities and all emergency services, armed forces and state security forces and corps for the titanic work they have been doing from the very beginning.”
Scientists have warned that increased episodes of extreme weather, like these floods, or the wildfires seen in Europe this summer, are likely linked to human-driven climate change. The warming of the Mediterranean, which increases water evaporation, is understood to play a key role in making torrential rains more severe.
