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Spain floods latest: British man among 95 dead in Valencia flooding as dozens still missing

The death toll continues to rise after the worst flash floods in three decades swept the eastern Spanish region of Valencia

Spain: Floods sweep several cars away in Valencia province, Spain

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At least 95 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.

Authorities fear the death will rise as other regions of Spain were yet to report victims and search efforts continued in hard-to-reach places to find dozens of missing people.

“The fact that we can’t give a number of the missing persons indicates the magnitude of the tragedy,” said minister of territory policies Angel Victor Torres.

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.

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At least 34 dead in a town ‘totally cut off’ in Valencia

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.

Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 16:23
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Pictured: Military deployed to assist rescue teams in Valencia

A military vehicle in a street following floods in Letur, southwest of Valencia, eastern Spain
A military vehicle in a street following floods in Letur, southwest of Valencia, eastern Spain (AFP via Getty Images)
Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 16:14
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Andalusia issues rare red emergency level and urges for ‘maximum caution’

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."

Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 16:06
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In pictures: Heavy floods leave cars piled up on the streets of Valencia

Pedestrians stand next to piled up cars following deadly floods in Sedavi, south of Valencia
Pedestrians stand next to piled up cars following deadly floods in Sedavi, south of Valencia (AFP via Getty Images)
Residents walk next to piled up cars on railway tracks following deadly floods in Sedavi, south of Valencia
Residents walk next to piled up cars on railway tracks following deadly floods in Sedavi, south of Valencia (AFP via Getty Images)
A cyclist stands next to piled up cars following deadly floods in Sedavi, south of Valencia
A cyclist stands next to piled up cars following deadly floods in Sedavi, south of Valencia (AFP via Getty Images)
Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 15:54
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Watch: Moment bridge falls apart due to strong floods in

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.

Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 15:44
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Pictured: Barcelona under high alert for flooding and heavy rains

A parcial view of the skyline of Barcelona city, Catalonia, north-eastern Spain
A parcial view of the skyline of Barcelona city, Catalonia, north-eastern Spain (EPA)
(EPA)
Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 15:34
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High-speed trains between Madrid and Valencia cancelled for the next 4 days

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.”

Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 15:24

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