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Latest floods in Spain: Desperate search for ‘large numbers of missing people’ as death toll rises and torrential rain approaches | World News
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Latest floods in Spain: Desperate search for ‘large numbers of missing people’ as death toll rises and torrential rain approaches | World News

Spain is today mourning the aftermath of floods that turned village streets into rivers, destroyed homes, disrupted transport and killed at least 95 people in the worst natural disaster to hit the European nation in recent memory.

The heavy rains that started on Tuesday and continued yesterday caused floods in the south and east of the country, from Malaga to Valencia.

The muddy flood dragged vehicles through the streets at high speeds, while debris and household items swirled in the water.

Emergency services in the eastern region of Valencia announced that 92 people died yesterday.

Two more people were killed in the neighboring Castile La Mancha region, while one death was reported in southern Andalusia.

“Yesterday was the worst day of my life,” Ricardo Gabaldon, mayor of the Valencian town of Utiel, told national broadcaster RTVE.

He said six residents of the town were dead and more were missing.

“We were trapped like rats. Cars and garbage containers were flowing down the streets.

“The water rose up to 3 meters,” he said.

The Spanish government has declared three days of mourning starting today.

“The whole of Spain is crying for those searching for their loved ones,” Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a televised speech.