At least 4 dead in Spain as storms drench Valencia, Alicante

At least four people have died in Spain due to severe flooding caused by heavy rain in the Mediterranean region, according to state broadcaster RTVE. Emergency crews have rescued over 450 individuals who were stranded, some of whom sought refuge on rooftops during the flood. Roads, houses, and campsites were inundated in the provinces of Valencia and Alicante, with the Balearic Islands of Majorca and Ibiza also affected.

The regional government declared a second-highest emergency level to address the crisis. Initially, authorities imposed a curfew for 145 municipalities, home to more than 800,000 residents. The curfew was later reduced to eight municipalities by the afternoon. However, some areas remained cut off from the outside world due to the flooding.

Oliva, a coastal town located about 70 kilometers south of Valencia, experienced particularly severe flooding, with two bodies recovered on Monday. Mayor Yolanda Pastor reported that about 2,000 people were evacuated from seven campsites, with several individuals climbing onto their roofs to escape the rising waters. Police reported using a surfboard to rescue a 93-year-old woman in Gandia.

Spain's state weather service, AEMET, recorded more than 530 millimeters of rain in Oliva within 24 hours, while Pego in Alicante saw just over 620 millimeters of rainfall. Despite the high alert level, Mallorca remained relatively calm, with only three minor incidents reported: two fallen trees and a risk of collapse, both since resolved.