At least 62 people have been killed in Spain, and others are still missing after flash floods swept the eastern and southern parts of the country.

Heavy rain lashed much of eastern and southern Spain, flooding streets with muddy water, disrupting the movement of people, and destroying property.

According to footage that made rounds on social media, floodwaters have caused chaos, sweeping cars through streets and damaging homes, knocking down bridges and other infrastructure. Other videos show people clinging to trees to avoid being swept away by violent floods.

Much of the country, especially the cities of Valencia, Malaga, and Murcia, among others, were badly hit by heavy rain and hailstorms that started on the evening of Tuesday, October 29, 2024, triggering rapid flooding across the southern and eastern parts of the country.

Spain’s central government has since set up a crisis committee to help coordinate rescue efforts, and more than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units have been deployed to the devastated areas to help rescue the survivors.

“I am closely following with concern the reports on missing persons and the damage caused by the storm in recent hours; be very careful and avoid unnecessary trips,” Pedro Sánchez, Spain Prime Minister, tweeted on X.

However, people are questioning the failure by Civil Protection Authorities to warn people in the affected areas prior so as to evacuate the areas or seek refuge in safer areas.

The floods have caused transport disruption with several flights due to land in Valencia diverted to other cities and others cancelled. All train and road services are suspended in the Valencia region, and school authorities have been advised to temporarily close.