BBC:
At least 51 people are known to have died after torrential rain caused devastating flash floods in south-eastern Spain.
In the town of Chiva near Valencia more than a year’s worth of rain fell in just eight hours and local officials say it is “impossible” to put a final figure on the number of people who have perished.
Footage uploaded to social media shows floodwaters causing chaos in the wider region, knocking down bridges and dragging cars through the streets. Other video appears to show people clinging to trees to avoid being swept away.
Much of the country has been badly hit by heavy rain and hailstorms, triggering rapid flooding across multiple areas.
More than 1,000 troops are being deployed to help with the rescue operation, as scores of people remain unaccounted for.
Local media have also reported damage and casualties in the Balearic islands.
Spain’s King Felipe VI said he was “devastated” by the floods, and sent his “heartfelt condolences” to the families of the victims, in a post on X.
Radio and TV stations have reportedly been receiving hundreds of calls for help from people trapped in flooded areas or searching for loved ones, as emergency services struggle to reach some areas.
Rescuers are using drones to search for the missing in the badly affected municipality of Letur, local official Milagros Tolon told Spanish public television station TVE.
“The priority is to find these people,” she said.
