BARCELONA, OCT 30 – Several people were reported missing by Spanish authorities after flash floods washed away cars on village streets and disrupted train services in large areas of eastern and southern Spain yesterday.
Rushing muddy waters caused chaos in large areas of the European country, from Malaga province in the south to Valencia in the east. Pictures taken by people using mobile phones that were rebroadcast on Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE showed torrential water sweeping away cars and rising several feet to the ground floor of a house.
A high-speed train carrying nearly 300 passengers derailed near Malaga, although railway authorities said no injuries were reported. High-speed train services between the cities of Valencia and Madrid were disrupted, as were some commuter routes.
The national government office for the region of Castilla La Mancha told radio channel Cadena Ser that six people in the region were reported missing.
Spanish news agency EFE said that a lorry driver went missing in L’Alcudia, a town in Valencia. Also in Valencia, the mayor of Utiel, Ricardo Gabaldon, told RTVE that several people were trapped in their homes.
Police and rescue services used helicopters to lift people from houses and cars at risk of drowning. The Spanish military’s emergency rescue team was also deployed to help rescue efforts.
The storm is expected to continue until tomorrow, according to Spain’s national weather service.
Spain has experienced similar autumn storms in recent years. The country has recovered slightly from this year’s severe drought following rains. Scientists say that the increase in extreme weather events may be linked to climate change. – AP
