Six killed in Spain flash floods and thousands evacuated after motorists were trapped in submerged tunnels during and beaches are washed away
A DELUGE of torrential rain and lightening storms have killed six people after mass flooding in south-eastern Spain, with tornado warnings in Majorca. Floods swept away cars and debris in the regions of Valencia, Murcia and eastern Andalucia, while motorway tunnels in some areas were flooded almost up to the tunnel lighting. In the latest […]
A DELUGE of torrential rain and lightening storms have killed six people after mass flooding in south-eastern Spain, with tornado warnings in Majorca.
Floods swept away cars and debris in the regions of Valencia, Murcia and eastern Andalucia, while motorway tunnels in some areas were flooded almost up to the tunnel lighting.
In the latest tragedy a man was killed after his car became trapped in a tunnel that filled with torrents of water in a “matter of minutes” in Almeria.
Cops called to the scene were able to rescue two of the three people inside the vehicle – but the third man tragically died.
Other stranded drivers also had to be pulled from flooded road tunnels in Pilar de la Horadada, in the region of Alicante.
In another shocking road accident at least one person died after a torrent of mud and water engulfed a road in Grenada.
The tunnel death came hours after a woman, 51, and her 61-year-old brother were found dead in an overturned car that flood waters had washed away in Caudete, south of Valencia.
And on Friday evening it was confirmed there had been a fifth fatality, a 58-year-old man from the town of Redován died after being dragged through the water when he left his vehicle and tried to cross a street.
Spain’s acting prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said the country’s military emergency unit is now on the streets helping combat what is called a ‘gota fria’ (cold drop).
“A difficult and intense night,” he tweeted on Friday. “Some areas remain on alert amid torrential rains. Sadly we are mourning a third victim in Almería.
“All my love to the families of those who have died and to all those affected by the weather. Let’s step up the precautions.”
Parts of Majorca, including the south of the island and Sierra de Tramuntana are now on red alert after local officials issuing a tornado warning.
Tourists are being urged to take care after Spain’s meteorological agency (AEMET) issued an “extreme risk” weather warning for the next 24 hours.
The travel warning was issued for the regions of Murcia, Almeria, Valencia and Alicante.
“Flash floods may occur and could cause disruption and delays to transport services,” warned the UK Foreign Office.
Majorca’s Palma airport was briefly closed due to the storms, as well as Ibiza Airport and Almiera airport.
And Murcia’s international airport remains closed while Alicante airport faces massive delays.
Around 60 people had to be evacuated after becoming trapped at a nearby campsite in the beautiful coastal area of Cabo de Gata.
Residents in the ex-pat community of Torrevieja were even warned to weigh down heir cars to stop them being washed away by torrents of water.
Several main highways including the AP-7 motorway near the town of Pilar de la Horadada and a large stretch of the N-332 road, were closed to traffic.
Local reports said several cars were trapped on the AP-7 near the town of Cartagena with drivers sat on the tops of their vehicles as they wait for help to arrive.
Tourist beaches in Alicante, where a British family became trapped due to floods, have been washed away by the shocking downpours.
The
family had to be rescued by the army after becoming trapped in their holiday villa for 12 hours by the killer floods which have deluged southern Spain.
Paul and Angie Spencer had been staying in Alicante with their four children – including two toddlers – when the nearby Brazel del Lugar river suddenly burst its banks.
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Floodwaters then crashed through the ground floor windows of their villa in Benfis Park cutting off both water and electricity supplies.
“It was terrifying. Within half an hour our basement was completely flooded,” Paul, 35, from Doncaster, told the Sun Online.
“We knew we were in trouble when the waters rose higher than the kerbs.
“We had fun watching the thunder and lightning on Thursday night, but never in a million years did we think we think our holiday villa would be nearly swept away the next day.”
