Streets are submerged by floods in Spain following country's hottest summer on record: Rescuers scramble to save woman washed away
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By CAITLIN LENG
Published: | Updated:
Rescuers in Spain have raced to save a woman washed away by floods that have submerged the country following its hottest summer on record.
The woman, who has not yet been named, was 'swept away by water' along a stream in the village of Olivella, approximately 25 miles west of Barcelona, according to local news outlets.
Joan Ramon Cabello, prevention subdirector at Catalan Civil Protection, told regional broadcaster 3Cat the woman was 'in a vehicle' and it seemed she 'tried to get out' before being washed away in the water. He confirmed police were continuing to search for her.
The incident comes as Spain emerges from its hottest summer on record, with torrential rain striking Barcelona and the country's Mediterranean east, submerging streets and disrupting travel.
AEMET, Spain's national weather agency, issued warnings for heavy rain in eastern regions on Wednesday, briefly applying the highest red alert for Barcelona over a threat of flash floods.
Those living in the Catalonia and Valencia regions have also been urged by authorities to avoid unnecessary travel and exercise extreme caution, with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warning on X of 'very complicated situations'.
Mass telephone alerts were issued to residents in parts of Catalonia, Valencia and the southeastern province of Almeria due to the risk of flooding.
In Barcelona, metro stations were closed and buses diverted while the streets were submerged in water, while regional trains also experienced disruption and flights were delayed or cancelled at Barcelona's El Prat airport, Spain's second busiest.
A woman has been washed away following flooding in Barcelona, Spain. (Pictured: Partially submerged vehicles surrounded by flood water in Spain)
Torrential rain struck Barcelona and the country's Mediterranean east following the country's hottest summer on record
Catalan emergency services confirmed they received more than 850 calls related to the downpours, which generated more than 500 incidents.
In the neighbouring region of Valencia, weather monitor Avamet recorded more than 70millimetres of rain in just half an hour in several municipalities.
On X, the weather agency wrote: 'Rarely have we seen such large rainfall accumulations in 30 minutes as the one we've had today in Valencia and nearby areas.'
A total of 478 weather-related incidents were reported across the region, most caused by property damage, leaks and traffic disruption.
In the region's capital, also named Valencia, all metro lines were suspended, while flooding shut the city's airport for hours, causing 12 flights to be diverted, according to operator Aena.
A top-flight football match in Valencia city between Levante and Athletic Bilbao was also postponed as the pitch was waterlogged and water seeped into the players' tunnel.
And further south, more than 20 municipalities across Almeria and the southeastern region of Murcia suspended classes on Thursday as a precaution.
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