At least 52 people have died after torrential rains hit southern and eastern Spain, bringing flash floods that raged through towns and cut off roads and rail lines.
Rainstorms on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, caused flooding in a wide swath of southern and eastern Spain, stretching from Malaga to Valencia.
In some parts of the country, more than a month’s worth of rain fell in a day, leaving dozens of people stranded, with some reportedly forced to climb on top of cars or gas stations as they waited to be rescued.
Transport was also impacted. A high-speed train with nearly 300 people on board derailed near Malaga, although rail authorities said no one was hurt.
High-speed train service between Valencia city and Madrid was interrupted, as were several commuter lines.
The intense rain has been attributed to the gota fría, or “cold drop”, which occurs when cold air moves over the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
This creates atmospheric instability, causing warm, saturated air to rise rapidly, leading to the formation of towering cumulonimbus clouds in a matter of hours and dumping heavy rain across eastern parts of Spain.
Scientists say extreme weather such as heatwaves and storms is becoming more intense as a result of the climate crisis.
As the search continued for the missing, people were urged to stay off the roads amid warnings that the number of fatalities could rise.
Speaking on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, Valencia’s regional President, Carlos Mazón said that it was still too early to provide a comprehensive death toll.
“These are very difficult hours for relatives and for the disappeared. We will confirm the number of victims over the coming hours but right now it’s impossible to offer a precise figure. We’re in shock.”
Carlos Mazón
The regional government also urged people to stay off flooded or cut-off roads, saying the emergency services needed access and that more flood water could still accumulate.
Mazón urged people to stay at home so as not to complicate rescue efforts, with travel by road already difficult due to fallen trees and wrecked vehicles.
Spain’s central government has set up a crisis committee to help coordinate rescue efforts. More than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units were deployed to the devastated areas.
Spain has experienced similar autumn storms in recent years, but nothing has compared to the devastation over the past two days.
Spain’s Prime Minister Expresses Condolence To Victims’ Families
Speaking on Wednesday, Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, expressed his condolences to the families of the at least 52 people who have died and others who continue to search for their missing loved ones.
“We are going to help you with all the resources of the State and if necessary from the European Union. I would like to ask citizens not to let our guard down. The storm continues to wreak havoc.”
Pedro Sanchez
Urging people to follow the advice of the authorities, Sánchez, wrote on X, “I am closely following with concern the reports on missing persons and the damage caused by the storm in recent hours.” “Be very careful and avoid unnecessary trips,” he added.
It was later announced that Sánchez would chair a crisis meeting on the floods in Madrid at midday and make a statement. Spain’s congress also held a minute’s silence to commemorate the dead.
King Felipe also offered his support to the families of the dead and missing, saying he was “heartbroken” by the news of the flooding and its fatalities.
“I’m sending strength, encouragement and all the necessary support to all those affected. We recognise and appreciate all the local and regional authorities and the emergency and security services as they continue with the titanic task they have been carrying out since the very first moment.”
King Felipe
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