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Flash Floods in Spain’s Valencia Region Leave 62 Dead Amid Torrential Rains
Valencia, Spain – At least 62 people have died following severe flash floods that struck Spain’s southeastern region of Valencia on Tuesday. The unprecedented rainfall left buildings flooded, highways impassable, and entire towns isolated, the regional government of Valencia confirmed on Wednesday. The sudden surge of water trapped residents, washed away vehicles, and caused widespread devastation, with authorities warning that the death toll may rise as search efforts continue.
The flash floods were triggered by record-breaking rainfall, with up to 12 inches of rain falling in several areas across southeastern and eastern Spain within hours on Tuesday. Videos circulating on social media captured scenes of streets in Valencia overwhelmed by torrents of muddy water, while cars, vans, and other debris were swept away in towns like Utiel and Paiporta as nearby rivers breached their banks.
For many residents, the deluge struck without warning, leaving them trapped on first floors and in basements with no means of escape. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles described the incident as an “unprecedented phenomenon,” and confirmed that more than 1,000 military personnel had been deployed to assist in rescue operations. “We are using every available resource to help,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated on Wednesday, urging people to remain vigilant as additional rainstorms are expected in the coming days.
Carlos Mazón, the regional leader of Valencia, cautioned residents in Valencia and Castellón provinces to avoid road travel as many highways were rendered unusable by the floodwaters. Mazón reported that some bodies were recovered after rescue teams reached previously inaccessible areas, though he declined to release details out of respect for the families. The flooding damaged infrastructure across the region, with vehicles abandoned in traffic picked up and carried by the powerful currents, compounding the chaos as emergency responders struggled to access affected areas.
Among those caught in the deluge, local resident Antonio Carmona described the harrowing moments as he witnessed cars, garbage cans, and parts of buildings swept away. “We saw everything being washed down the street. The water took cars and even half of a neighbor’s house,” Carmona told reporters. Clutching his torn clothing, he recalled how he and others had saved dogs caught in the rising floodwaters.
In Torrent, a city near Valencia, Beatriz Garrote recounted her experience of being trapped in her car for hours. Driving home from work on Tuesday evening, Garrote found herself stranded on a ring road with water rapidly rising around her. “I was terrified,” Garrote said, as her car was encircled by floodwaters. “After just 10 minutes, the water was already halfway up the car’s wheels,” she said. With no exits available, she and other drivers were left to wait until the waters receded.
The Valencia region typically receives an average of three inches of rain in October, but towns like Chiva recorded over 12 inches in just four hours, according to the European Severe Weather Database. Flooding also impacted the cities of Murcia and Malaga, where some areas received over four inches of rain.
Spain’s Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued ongoing warnings for heavy rainfall through the week, as climate experts link the intensity of these storms to human-driven climate change. Elevated global temperatures and warmer oceans are intensifying rainfall events, experts say, increasing the likelihood of such catastrophic flooding in the future.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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