Two missing in Spain after storm floods Barcelona and other tourist hotspots
Two people are missing after they are believed to have been swept away during floods in Spain.
The Catalan Fire and Rescue Service said they were searching for two people who reportedly fell into the Foix river, in Cubelles, when a wooden footbridge they were crossing gave way due to the force of the flow.
It comes after heavy rain hit tourist areas including Barcelona and Girona, with underground garages flooded and rail services suspended.
As the UK sweltered in a heatwave, half of Spain's provinces were under weather warnings for storms yesterday, including the regions of Huesca, Teruel and Zaragoza, Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona, and Castellón.
Scores of firefighters had joined the search for the missing walkers yesterday, using a helicopter and drones, with no success as of yet.
The floods come less than a year after devastating floods hit Valencia, killing over 220 people and leaving streets impassable with cars and debris piled up.
More bad weather was forecast today, with the State Meteorological Agency issuing weather warnings for 25 provinces, including eight as orange cautions.
Rain today was not expected to be as severe as previous days, but it will come on already waterlogged ground, with rivers already swollen.
The Ebro Riverbank in Tarazona, Zaragoza, came under red alert yesterday with nearly 100mm of rainfall falling in just an hour.
The impact was so severe that a Military Emergency Unit (UME)was deployed to the area to help with the clean-up operation, although no casualties were reported.
Photos showed how they pumped water away from waterlogged streets, bringing special equipment to handle the flood level.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned people to 'take great caution' and called for them to avoid any unnecessary travel in ten northern and eastern regions.
Acknowledging the scale of the floods, he wrote on X: 'We are closely monitoring the situation in several communities with warnings for heavy rains and storms.'
The bad weather has been put down to the DANA phenomenon, which stands for 'Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos', meaning 'Isolated Depression at High Altitudes', and is often referred to as a 'cold drop'.
This meteorological event happens when warm, moist air from the Mediterranean is sucked high into the atmosphere due to a cold system hitting.
The resulting instability leads to the formation of intense thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and sometimes hail.
This is the same weather pattern which was blamed for the Valencia flooding, and experts say climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of such events.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
While the UK isn't affected by this specific weather pattern, last week, experts warned that London also needs to prepare for damaging floods, with thousands of people living in basements which are especially vulnerable, as freak weather events become more likely.
The UK Foreign Office has not currently issued any new travel warnings for Spain after the flooding. More Trending
However, it urged UK travellers: 'Check weather warnings from Spain's meteorological office (AEMET) before travel and follow the advice of the local authorities.'
And, like with any country, the Foreign Office advises British nationals to stay vigilant when abroad.
Read our separate article on the situation for holidaymakers here.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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Metro
9 hours ago
- Metro
Two missing in Spain after storm floods Barcelona and other tourist hotspots
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Two people are missing after they are believed to have been swept away during floods in Spain. The Catalan Fire and Rescue Service said they were searching for two people who reportedly fell into the Foix river, in Cubelles, when a wooden footbridge they were crossing gave way due to the force of the flow. It comes after heavy rain hit tourist areas including Barcelona and Girona, with underground garages flooded and rail services suspended. As the UK sweltered in a heatwave, half of Spain's provinces were under weather warnings for storms yesterday, including the regions of Huesca, Teruel and Zaragoza, Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona, and Castellón. Scores of firefighters had joined the search for the missing walkers yesterday, using a helicopter and drones, with no success as of yet. The floods come less than a year after devastating floods hit Valencia, killing over 220 people and leaving streets impassable with cars and debris piled up. More bad weather was forecast today, with the State Meteorological Agency issuing weather warnings for 25 provinces, including eight as orange cautions. Rain today was not expected to be as severe as previous days, but it will come on already waterlogged ground, with rivers already swollen. The Ebro Riverbank in Tarazona, Zaragoza, came under red alert yesterday with nearly 100mm of rainfall falling in just an hour. The impact was so severe that a Military Emergency Unit (UME)was deployed to the area to help with the clean-up operation, although no casualties were reported. Photos showed how they pumped water away from waterlogged streets, bringing special equipment to handle the flood level. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned people to 'take great caution' and called for them to avoid any unnecessary travel in ten northern and eastern regions. Acknowledging the scale of the floods, he wrote on X: 'We are closely monitoring the situation in several communities with warnings for heavy rains and storms.' The bad weather has been put down to the DANA phenomenon, which stands for 'Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos', meaning 'Isolated Depression at High Altitudes', and is often referred to as a 'cold drop'. This meteorological event happens when warm, moist air from the Mediterranean is sucked high into the atmosphere due to a cold system hitting. The resulting instability leads to the formation of intense thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and sometimes hail. This is the same weather pattern which was blamed for the Valencia flooding, and experts say climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of such events. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video While the UK isn't affected by this specific weather pattern, last week, experts warned that London also needs to prepare for damaging floods, with thousands of people living in basements which are especially vulnerable, as freak weather events become more likely. The UK Foreign Office has not currently issued any new travel warnings for Spain after the flooding. More Trending However, it urged UK travellers: 'Check weather warnings from Spain's meteorological office (AEMET) before travel and follow the advice of the local authorities.' And, like with any country, the Foreign Office advises British nationals to stay vigilant when abroad. Read our separate article on the situation for holidaymakers here. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Elderly British tourist mugged and robbed in Majorca MORE: Last moments of man who ran towards plane and died after falling into jet engine MORE: When is the next Club World Cup and where could it be held?
Metro
13 hours ago
- Metro
Latest Spain travel advice after holiday hotspots left underwater by floods
A number of Spanish holiday hotspots were hit with severe flooding this week, with some areas seeing 100mm of rain in just one hour. While the UK basks in sunshine, half of Spain's 50 provinces received weather warnings from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), causing chaos for locals and tourists alike. Urgent alerts were issued for the regions of Huesca, Teruel and Zaragoza, Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona, and Castellón yesterday, after flash floods led to disruption across the worst-hit areas on Friday. Shocking footage showed streets left underwater by the storms, and cars were seen floating away in floodwaters near the El Cardener river. Two people have also been reported missing in the area, while the Military Emergency Unit (UME) was deployed in Tarazona, Zaragoza to help deal with the resulting damage. One plane that took off from Barcelona was forced to turn back after sustaining damage to its nose in a hail storm, and roads were blocked throughout the city, with one hospital having to refuse patients after it flooded. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Extreme weather is also expected to hit the Cantabrian coast, the Balearic Islands and parts of central and eastern Spain in the coming days, bringing heavy showers, thunderstorms, and in some places, torrential downpours. The UK Foreign Office has not currently issued any new travel warnings for Spain after the flooding. However, it urged UK travellers: 'Check weather warnings from Spain's meteorological office (AEMET) before travel and follow the advice of the local authorities.' And, like with any country, the Foreign Office advises British nationals to stay vigilant when abroad. On X, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on people to exercise 'great caution' in flood-hit areas, which include destinations popular with tourists including Catalonia and Valencia. Before or during a flood, the UK government says you should turn off gas, electricity and water supplies, if it's safe to do so. They also advise to move to higher ground, and to use flood protection products if those are available to you. It is also recommended to follow the advice of local officials or emergency services. The FCDO states that British travellers are responsible for their own personal safety while abroad, adding 'we do not have a general duty of care to British nationals abroad'. However, the FCDO may set up a specific response to help British nationals in a crisis abroad, which can include natural disasters such as flooding. This can include a dedicated hotline or online registration where you can apply for assistance. If you've taken out your travel insurance and you'd now like to cancel your holiday due to the floods, you may be entitled to some money back. Flooding should be included under the natural disasters coverage (although it varies between insurers so check your policy) but this comes with a catch. Travel insurance will only pay out for holiday cancellations if the FCDO advises against anything but essential travel to your holiday destination – and there are currently no such warnings for Spain. More Trending Some providers also require the local or national authorities to state it's unsafe to travel there. If your holiday provider or airline is operating there as normal and there are no advisories, you won't get any cancellation cover. According to you should look at the 'cancellation and curtailment' section of your policy, as this can help with cancelling or cutting a trip short due to extreme weather. There's another reason your travel insurance may not cover you, too. If extreme weather was forecast for the area before you booked your holiday and before you took out your insurance policy, you won't be covered for 'anticipated' events. Basically, if you knew the weather was going to be bad but booked it anyway, you won't get your refund. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: In the forgotten Faroe Islands, life still feels real MORE: Elderly British tourist mugged and robbed in Majorca MORE: My holiday breakfast buffet hack is controversial but it's a money saver
Scottish Sun
17 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Major search operation underway after two people were ‘swept away by river' following storm at Spanish holiday hotspot
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR search operation is underway after two people went missing at a Spanish holiday hotspot hit by torrential rains. Rescuers fear that both people were swept away by the Foix River in Cubelles near Barcelona amid heavy storms. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 10 Footage shows rescuers in a helicopter looking for the missing people over the river Credit: X 10 Two people were missing in Catalonia on Saturday after much of the region in northeast Spain was hit by torrential rains Credit: X 10 The river is said to have burst its banks after floodgates on the dam were opened due to heavy rain Credit: X 10 DANA has caused catastrophic flash flooding in Catalonia near Barcelona Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 10 A car remains submerged in water due to heavy rains on July 12 Credit: Getty The river is said to have burst its banks after floodgates on the dam, which had accumulated a lot of water from the storm, were opened. According to the Fire Department, the missing people were crossing the river on a footbridge when the current swept them away. Footage shows rescuers in a helicopter looking for the missing people over the river. Torrential rains have hit Spain's Catalonia - sparking a red alert from the weather department. Train service was suspended in Catalonia on Saturday, as much of the Spanish region was placed on high alert over possible torrential rains, officials said. Spain's weather service Aemet said that 90 millimetres of rain could fall in the space of an hour later on Saturday near Barcelona and the Tarragona region. Calling the situation "extraordinary", the weather service warned that torrential rains could cause flooding and urged residents to follow authorities' instructions. Meanwhile, a hospital in Barcelona was flooded and had to refuse patients. Roads were blocked, and a plane that took off from Barcelona for the United States had to turn back after its nose was damaged by hail. Other regions of the north, such as Aragon, were also hit by heavy rain on Saturday. Spain storm and hail warning as 100mm of rain falls in an hour at tourist hotspot It comes as Storm DANA has caused the weather agency to activate red, orange and yellow warnings across dozens of Spanish regions. AEMET forecasted orange-level warnings on Saturday for severe storms in Huesca, Teruel and Zaragoza, Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona, and Castellón. These regions have been battered by extreme rainfall and potential flash floods, which could disrupt holidays and cause huge damage to neighbourhoods. The Military Emergency Unit (UME) was deployed to several towns in Zaragoza to help relieve the damage caused by the brutal rainfall. Local rescue teams reported over 30 flood-related incidents, including fallen trees and blocked roads, but no casualties. 10 A flooded road near the village of Grisen, Aragon, northeastern Spain Credit: EPA 10 Floodwater flows as it rains in Igualada, Spain Credit: Reuters 10 A firefighter extracts water from the Hospital Comarcal de l'Alta Penedés, which remains without electricity and water Credit: Getty 10 People cross a street during a rainfall in Barcelona, Catalonia, eastern Spain Credit: EPA Shocking footage showed cars being swept away under the waves as intense rainfall pummelled Spanish streets. Hailstorm was seen pelting the pavements as locals took shelter from the dangerous weather. There will also be storm warnings in several other regions, including Alicante and Valencia, the Ribera del Ebro in La Rioja and the Iberian Rioja, and Álava, among others. Spain's national forecaster said that unstable air was moving across the north and east of the Iberian Peninsula, bringing heavy showers, thunderstorms, and in some places, torrential downpours.
