Spain floods death toll increases with people 'trapped like rats' in scenes of devastation

Valencia’s president has expressed “dismay” at floods across the region as more deaths have been confirmed by the emergency services. At least 52 people have been killed by the floods which swept Spain’s eastern region of Valencia, although the death toll could rise.

Emergency services worked overnight to rescue people from their homes. Heavy rainfall in the region saw roads transformed into rivers and major disruption to rail and road transport.

Posting on X, president of Valencia Carlos Mazón said: "These are very difficult times for relatives and missing persons. In the next few hours we will confirm the number of victims, but right now it is still impossible to provide an exact figure. We are dismayed.

READ MORE: Woman caught rescuing pet dog in terrifying Valencia floods as dozens killed in Spain storms

"We reiterate the importance of NOT travelling by road, both in the province of Valencia and in Castellón. The telephone number for assistance to relatives of missing persons is activated. We have started to rescue, we have started to access places that until very recently were inaccessible, and we continue to work."

The king of Spain has sent his condolences to the families of the flood victims. Posting on X, King Felipe VI said: “Devastated by the latest news. 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.”

Photos have shown the shocking aftermath of the floods with cars piled up high on streets. Rescue efforts are still ongoing across the region and more than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units were deployed to the devastated areas.

“Yesterday was the worst day of my life,” Ricardo Gabaldon, the mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE. He said 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,” he said.

“The neighbourhood is destroyed, all the cars are on top of each other, it’s literally smashed up,” Christian Viena, a bar owner in the Valencian village of Barrio de la Torre, said by phone. “Everything is a total wreck, everything is ready to be thrown away. The mud is almost 30 centimetres deep.”

Spain’s central government set up a crisis committee to help co-ordinate rescue efforts. The rain had subsided in Valencia by late Wednesday morning. But more storms were forecast through Thursday, according to Spain’s national weather service.

Spain is still recovering from a severe drought earlier this year. Scientists say increased episodes of extreme weather are likely linked to climate change.

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