At least four people have died after heavy rain and severe flooding across eastern Spain, forcing hundreds of people to flee. The worst-affected areas are in the Valencia and Alicante regions, on Spain’s eastern Mediterranean coast.
In the town of Oliva, two bodies were recovered on Monday. One victim was a 79-year-old woman found at her home, while another was a man who died from a heart attack at a campsite.
In Sagunto, a man drowned while swimming at the beach, while in Catalonia, a woman died after falling into a rain-swollen stream in Catalonia.
Emergency services have rescued more than 450 people who were stranded by the rising water. Some had to be airlifted from rooftops, flooded buildings and vehicles, while others were brought to safety by boat.
Emergency restrictions
Authorities imposed emergency restrictions across several municipalities, asking people to stay indoors. Most restrictions have since been lifted.
The Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, including Mallorca and Ibiza, were also affected, with schools closed, and some flights cancelled or delayed.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said military emergency teams were assisting with the rescue efforts and pledged full government support.
The latest flooding comes almost two years after the Valencia region suffered a devastating flood disaster that killed more than 220 people.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar
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