At least 51 people are known to have died after heavy rain caused flooding in southeastern Spain.
In the town of Chiva near Valencia, more than a year’s worth of rain fell in just eight hours and local officials say it is “impossible” to put a final figure on the number of people who died.
Pictures uploaded to social media show floodwaters causing havoc across the wider region, tearing down bridges and dragging cars onto roads. Another video appears to show people clinging to trees to avoid being washed away.
Much of the country has been hit hard by heavy rain and hail, causing flash floods in many areas.
More than 1,000 soldiers have been deployed to help with the rescue operation as a large number of people are unaccounted for.
Local media also reported damage and casualties in the Balearic Islands.
Spain’s King Felipe VI said he was “devastated” by the floods, and sent his “heartfelt condolences” to the families of the victims, in a post X.
Radio and television stations are reported to have been receiving many calls for help from people trapped in flooded areas or looking for loved ones, as emergency services struggle to reach other areas.
Rescuers are using drones to search for the missing in the badly affected municipality of Letur, local official Milagros Tolon told Spanish public television channel TVE.
“The priority is to find these people,” he said.
Police have issued an emergency call asking people to call 9006 5112 to report missing persons.
“In fact, all the main roads have been cut off and other roads,” said Pilar Bernabe, the representative of the government in the region.
“Not going out is not just a recommendation, it is a necessity to ensure the safety of trapped people and people who have to rescue others.”
Spain’s weather service AEMET reported that Chiva, in the Valencia region, recorded 491mm of rain in just eight hours on Tuesday – the equivalent of a year’s worth of rain.
It declared a red alert in the region of Valencia and the second highest level of alert in parts of Andalusia.
The floods caused several flights to be disrupted due to the stay in Valencia being diverted to other cities and others cancelled. All train services have been suspended in the Valencia region, said national rail infrastructure operator ADIF.
Valencia city hall said all schools and sporting events have been suspended for Wednesday, while parks will remain closed.
There are many factors that contribute to flooding, but warmer weather caused by climate change is causing more rainfall.
The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the start of the industrial age and temperatures will continue to rise unless governments around the world drastically reduce emissions.
Additional reporting by Matt Taylor of BBC Weather.
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