Spain floods latest: Victims ‘trapped like rats’ and 70 dead as Spanish PM says ‘devastating episode’ not over

• At least 70 people have been killed after torrential rain led to flash floods in villages, towns and cities across eastern and southern Spain. Of those, 62 died in the Valencia region, while two were killed in the Castilla La Mancha provence.
• 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 has already offered its 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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.