Deadly floods hit southern Spain leaving victims missing
Severe flooding struck southern Spain after intense overnight rainfall, leaving at least one person dead and several others missing, according to emergency services. The heavy downpours caused rivers to overflow and streets to turn into torrents, particularly affecting parts of Andalusia.
Rescue teams reported that a body was found in the municipality of Alhaurín el Grande, in the province of Málaga, where search operations are still ongoing. Authorities confirmed that one person remains missing in the same area, while another disappearance has been reported near Granada. Emergency crews continue to work under difficult conditions.
Videos shared on social media showed submerged roads and damaged infrastructure across several towns. As daylight returned, cleanup operations began, with firefighters and civil protection units removing debris and assisting affected residents.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged citizens to remain extremely cautious, calling for “maximum vigilance” as unstable weather conditions persist. The national meteorological agency lowered the alert level in parts of Andalusia but warned that torrential rain had shifted toward the eastern Mediterranean coast, particularly the Valencia region, where the risk of flash floods remains high.
Spain is considered one of the European countries most exposed to climate change, experiencing longer heatwaves and increasingly intense rainfall. The latest floods have revived painful memories of the devastating inundations of 2024, which claimed more than 230 lives and sparked nationwide debate over disaster management and emergency preparedness.
