At least 51 people have been killed in flash floods that ravaged southeastern Spain, the regional government of Valencia confirmed on Wednesday.
The devastating floods struck after intense rainfall on Tuesday, with some areas receiving up to 12 inches of rain within a few hours.
In Valencia, dramatic footage showed muddy torrents sweeping through the streets, tearing down walls, and dragging away parked cars. Regional leader Carlos Mazón informed reporters that some bodies were discovered as rescue teams finally reached previously inaccessible areas. “Out of respect for the families, we are not going to give any more details,” Mazón said.
Authorities warn that the current death toll is “provisional” and likely to increase as rescue operations continue. Southern and eastern Spain were the hardest hit, with Chiva, a town just east of Valencia, recording a staggering 320 millimeters (12.6 inches) of rain in just over four hours, according to the European Severe Weather Database.
Flooding also impacted the regions around Murcia and Malaga, where more than 100 millimeters (4 inches) of rain was reported in some locations.
Experts attribute the worsening intensity of such weather events to the climate crisis. As global temperatures rise due to fossil fuel pollution, extreme rain events are becoming more frequent and severe. Warmer oceans are fueling stronger storms, while a hotter atmosphere holds more moisture, resulting in heavier downpours.
Spain’s Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued ongoing rainfall warnings for parts of eastern and southern Spain, with the threat of further heavy rain expected to persist through the end of the week.
