Valencia, Spain – The death toll in Valencia has risen to at least 51 as extreme flash floods devastate the region, according to regional government officials.
This natural disaster, among Spain’s deadliest in recent history, continues to wreak havoc as emergency responders search for survivors and account for those still missing.
Throughout the night, rescue teams recovered multiple bodies, though dozens remain unaccounted for, raising fears that the final toll could climb further. The hardest-hit areas include parts of Valencia, particularly Chiva, where the Spanish Weather Service reported a staggering 491mm of rainfall in just eight hours—equivalent to a year’s worth of precipitation.
Eyewitnesses described the terrifying scene as floodwaters tore through neighborhoods, sweeping cars and trash containers down streets. “We were trapped like rats,” one resident recounted, adding that water levels quickly rose to three meters.
Regional President Carlos Mazón stated, “Lifeless bodies have been found in several areas that emergency teams have only just been able to reach, and more continue to appear as waters recede.”
The thick, mud-coloured torrent’s floodwaters swept across regions from Málaga in the south to Valencia in the east, causing extensive damage. Dramatic footage shows vehicles being dragged along by the force of the rising water, which also surged into the lower levels of homes.
At Valencia Airport, videos showed the tarmac and runways wholly submerged, with hundreds of stranded passengers waiting inside the terminal, many camped on the floor as they awaited flight updates.
The disaster disrupted significant transport routes, with the suspended high-speed rail service between Valencia and Madrid and several local commuter lines. Near Málaga, a high-speed train carrying nearly 300 passengers derailed amid the floods; fortunately, no injuries were reported, according to rail authorities.
As rescue efforts continue, authorities are urging residents in affected areas to stay vigilant and follow safety advisories as the region grapples with the aftermath of this unprecedented flooding event.
