An unspecified number of bodies were found in areas hit by flash flooding in southeastern Spain.
This came after torrential rains caused by a cold front moving across southeastern Spain flooded roads and towns on Tuesday, prompting authorities in the worst-hit areas to advise citizens to stay at home and avoid all non-essential travel.
Spain’s weather agency AEMET declared a red alert in the eastern Valencia region, with some areas such as Turis and Utiel recording 200 millimetres of rainfall.
Meanwhile, emergency services workers backed by drones were looking for six people who were missing in the wake of the flash floods in the town of Letur in the eastern province of Albacete, the central government’s representative in Castilla-La Mancha, Milagros Tolon said.
Dozens of videos shared on social media appeared to show people trapped in floodwaters, several of them hanging on to trees to avoid being swept away.
Footage showed firefighters rescuing trapped drivers amid heavy rain in the Valencian town of Alzira and flooded streets with stuck cars.
Scientists say extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Meteorologists believe the warming of the Mediterranean, which increases water evaporation, plays a key role in making torrential rains more severe.
Schools and other essential services were suspended in the worst-hit areas.
