At least 51 people died in heavy rain and flooding in the Valencia region of Spain | Weather news

Emergency services continue search and rescue operations after flash floods hit southern and eastern Spain.

At least 51 people died in flash floods that swept across Valencia in Spain’s eastern region after heavy rains, local authorities said.

Strong storms caused flooding in parts of southern and eastern Spain on Tuesday. Footage shared on social media shows vehicles swept away through the streets by mud-colored water.

More than 1,000 soldiers from Spanish emergency response units were dispatched to the affected areas. Spain’s central government has established a crisis committee to help coordinate rescue efforts.

Emergency services in Valencia urged citizens to avoid all road travel and follow further updates from official sources.

“The preliminary number of victims is 51 people,” the emergency services in Valencia wrote on Wednesday, October, adding that the bodies were still being found and identified.

Carlos Mazon, regional leader of Valencia, told a news conference that some people remain isolated in inaccessible places.

“If (emergency services) did not arrive, it is not due to a lack of resources or aptitude, but an access problem,” Mazon said, adding that reaching some areas was “totally impossible.”

Ricardo Gabaldon, mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE that “yesterday was the worst day of my life.” There were still a few people missing from his town.

“We were trapped like rats. There were cars and garbage containers on the streets. The water level rose to three meters,” he added.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the government “will not abandon” those affected by the floods.

“All of Spain is crying with you all. Our absolute priority is to help you… We will not abandon you,” he said in a televised speech.

King Felipe VI said he was “devastated” by the deaths and thanked emergency services for their response. The monarchy also expressed its “heartfelt condolences” to the families of the victims.

Footage shared on social media shows firefighters rescuing stranded drivers during heavy rain in the city of Alzira and cars stranded in flooded streets.

The national weather service AEMET reported heavy rainfall, hail and strong wind gusts. A severe weather warning remains in effect for much of the country.

The weather service said the situation across Spain would only calm down on Thursday.

Trains to Madrid and Barcelona were canceled due to the floods, and schools and other essential services were suspended in the hardest-hit areas.

Spain’s state-owned railway Renfe said a high-speed train with 291 passengers on board from Malaga to Madrid derailed shortly after departure due to a landslide. No injuries were reported.

Lower House Speaker Francina Armengol said Wednesday’s parliament session would be canceled because of the disaster.

Scientists have warned that heavy rainfall is becoming more frequent and intense around the world, mainly due to climate change. Human activities such as urban development, deforestation and inadequate infrastructure are also known to increase the risk of flooding.