At least five people have died and several are missing in flash flooding on the Spanish island of Majorca.
A huge wave of muddy water engulfed the town of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, in the east of the island, after a river burst its banks following heavy rain.
Cars were washed away and several people are believed to be missing, local media report.
The Spanish military is deploying more than a hundred emergency workers with sniffer dogs.
Three helicopters and a Hercules military transport plane are also being sent from the mainland Spanish city of Valencia to help with search and rescue efforts.
At least nine people are still feared to be missing, local authorities said.
Images and footage posted on social media showed vehicles being swept along, some with headlights switched on, as a current of brown water gushed through narrow streets.
The UK’s Foreign Office said it was “urgently seeking updates” from Spanish authorities following news of the devastating floods.
A refuge was set up at the Miguel Ángel Nadal sports centre in the town of Manacor to provide shelter.
Local authorities called an emergency meeting to co-ordinate the rescue efforts on Wednesday following heavy rains on Tuesday.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez tweeted: “My solidarity and support goes out to the families and friends of victims and all those affected by these tragic floods.”
Mr Sánchez will visit the areas affected by flooding later on Wednesday, a spokesperson for his office said.
The Spanish parliament has held a minute’s silence in a tribute to the victims.
In December 2016, southern Spain was hit with severe weather, resulting in widespread flooding and several deaths. Streets in towns near Malaga on the Costa del Sol experienced chest-high water levels.(BBC News)
Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45807978
20
