Spain floods latest: Barcelona put on highest alert as airport flooded and 70 flights cancelled
Latest alert comes as British couple found dead – with total killed by devastating storms across country at more than 200
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Barcelona is facing a red alert warning for dangerous torrential train, with part of the city, including the airport, beginning to flood.
Fatalities from Spain’s worst flash floods in modern history rose to 217 almost all of them in the Valencia region and more than 60 in the suburb of Paiporta. Hundreds are still missing
The deadly storm that swept through Barcelona led to the suspension of 70 departing flights and the diversion of another 18 at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, according to operator Aena.
The heavy rainfall has also caused flooding in key areas, including the T-1 terminal and parking facilities.
Footage from the city showed the runway completely submerged as one plane aborted a landing and the few planes left on the tarmac were forced to sludge through several inches of flood water.
Meanwhile, in Valencia, the search continued for bodies inside houses and thousands of wrecked cars strewn in the streets, on highways, and in canals that channeled last week's floods into populated areas.
In the Aldaia municipality, some 50 soldiers, police and firefighters, some wearing wetsuits, searched in a huge shopping center's underground parking lot for possible victims. They used a small boat and spotlights to move around in the huge structure with vehicles submerged in at least a meter of murky water.
British couple missing for days in Spain floods found dead in car
Is it safe to travel to Spain and should I cancel my holiday after flooding disaster?
Spain floods mapped: Where are weather alerts in force as death toll hits 207?
Spain's king stood his ground under a mud barrage. What will the iconic moment mean for his reign?
Firefighters search flooded underground car parks - picture
In pictures: Barcelona residents stranded during floods
Spanish rescue services scour submerged underground car parks for casualties
In Valencia, the search continues for bodies inside houses and thousands of wrecked cars strewn in the streets, on highways, and in canals that channeled last week's floods into populated areas.
Spain's interior minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said that authorities can still not give a reliable estimate of the missing. Spanish national television RTVE, however, has broadcast pleas for help by several desperate people whose loved ones are unaccounted for.
In the Aldaia municipality, some 50 soldiers, police and firefighters, some wearing wetsuits, searched in a huge shopping center's underground parking lot for possible victims. They used a small boat and spotlights to move around in the huge structure with vehicles submerged in at least a meter of murky water.
Police spokesman Ricardo Gutierrez told reporters that so far some 50 vehicles had been found and no bodies had been discovered there.
The Bonaire shopping mall's 1,800 underground parking spaces quickly filled with water and mud on Tuesday and Wednesday when the southern outskirts of Valencia were hit by a tsunami-like flooding. The team is using four pumps to remove the water.
Citizens, volunteers and thousands of soldiers and police officers pressed on with their gargantuan clean-up effort to clear out mud and debris.
Barcelona aiport flooded - picture
Watch: Barcelona Airport runway resembles river as extreme rainfall hits
Watch: Barcelona Airport runway resembles river as extreme rainfall hits
Extreme rain has turned the Barcelona airport runway into a river with many flights suspended as a result of severe weather. This footage shows severe flooding at the airport on Monday (4 November)as the severe weather that wreaked havoc in Valencia brought heavy rain across Spain. Spain’s transport minister Oscar Puente announced a crisis committee has been set up to monitor the impact at the airport - with 50 flights diverted so far. Alerts were sent to mobile phones in Barcelona with warnings of “extreme and continued rainfall”. Residents have also been told to avoid any normally dry gorges or canals.
British couple missing for days in Spain floods found dead in car
British couple missing for days in Spain floods found dead in car
Terry and Don Turner had been missing since deadly downpours struck Valencia on Tuesday
Barcelona Airport runway flooded as country put on red alert
Footage shows flooding in town outside Barcelona
Footage has shown severe flooding in the town of Viladecans just outside of Barcelona.
50 cars recovered in Aldaia municipality
Police spokesman Ricardo Gutierrez told reporters that so far some 50 vehicles had been found in the Aldaia municipality, and no bodies had been discovered there.
He said soldiers, police and firefighters, some wearing wetsuits, searched a huge shopping centre’s underground car park for possible victims. They used a small boat and spotlights to move around in the huge structure with vehicles submerged in at least 3ft of murky water.
Spanish army arrives in Valencia - picture
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments