Spanish authorities report at least 51 dead as a result of the destruction…

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spanish authorities said Wednesday that at least 51 people were killed in flash floods that swept away cars, turned rural streets into rivers and disrupted rail lines and highways in the worst natural disaster to hit the European country in recent years. time.

Emergency services in the eastern region of Valencia confirmed the death toll.

Rain on Tuesday caused flooding in southern and eastern Spain. Streams of muddy water threw vehicles through the streets at breakneck speed. Pieces of wood circled together with household items. Police and emergency services used helicopters to lift people from their homes and cars.

Authorities reported several missing on Tuesday night, but the next morning there was a shocking report of dozens of dead bodies being found.

More than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units were sent to the devastated areas.

“Yesterday was the worst day of my life,” Ricardo Gabaldón, mayor of Utiel in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE. According to him, several people are still missing in his city.

“We are trapped like rats. Cars and garbage containers flowed through the streets. The water rose up to three meters,” he said.

Spain survived similar autumn storms in recent years, but nothing compared to the devastation of the past two days.

A high-speed train with nearly 300 people on board derailed near Malaga, although railway authorities said no one was injured. The high-speed train service between Valencia and Madrid was suspended, as were several suburban lines.

The regional president of Valencia, Carlos Mason, urged people to stay at home to avoid complicating rescue efforts, with road travel already complicated by fallen trees and wrecked cars.

Spain’s central government has set up a crisis committee to coordinate rescue efforts.

The rain in Valencia subsided by late Wednesday morning. But more storms are forecast for Thursday, according to Spain’s national meteorological service.

Spain is still recovering from a severe drought earlier this year. Scientists say that episodes of extreme weather are becoming more frequent probably related to climate change.