A 71-year British man has died in flash floods in Spain, with the death toll expected to rise.
The unnamed victim died in hospital from hypothermia and cardiac arrests hours after he was rescued from his home near Alhaurin de la Torre, Málaga, the president of the Andalusian government said on Wednesday.
At least 95 people including children have been killed and dozens more are still missing in the flash floods in southern and eastern Spain.
The deadliest flooding to hit Spain in decades has swept away cars, turned roads into rivers, left towns underwater and disrupted railway lines.
Rainstorms that started on Tuesday caused “devastating” flooding from Malaga to Valencia, with Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, warning on Wednesday that the “devastating” storm was not over yet.
“For those who are looking for their loved ones, all of Spain feels your pain,” he told a televised address.
Emergency services in the eastern region of Valencia confirmed a death toll of 92 people on Wednesday. Another two casualties were reported in the neighbouring Castilla La Mancha region, while southern Andalusia reported one death.
The mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE that Tuesday was the “worst day of my life” after six residents died in the floods.
“We were trapped like rats. Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to three metres,” he said.
Rescue personnel and more than 1,100 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units were deployed to affected areas, while the central government set up a crisis committee to coordinate rescue efforts.
Spain’s national weather service said it rained more in eight hours in Valencia than it had in the preceding 20 months, calling the deluge “extraordinary.”
The nation is still recovering from a severe drought and has registered record high temperatures in recent years. Scientists say increased episodes of extreme weather are likely linked to climate change.
The prolonged drought makes it more difficult for the land to absorb high volumes of water.
Winds of 120kmph – stronger than hurricane force – hit the southern coast, where 5-metre tall waves were recorded.
Spain’s parliament has been suspended because of the floods, and the King, Felipe VI, used a post on X to express his devastation and send “heartfelt condolences” to the families of victims.
A high-speed train carrying 300 passengers near Malaga was derailed, while trains to Madrid and Barcelona were cancelled. Schools and other essential services have been suspended in the worst-affected areas.
The UK’s Foreign Office told i: “Our staff stand ready to support British nationals overseas 24/7”, warning travellers to “check the latest weather warnings from Spain’s meteorological office” and to “follow instructions from local authorities”.