Severe Storms in Northeastern Spain Leave Two Persons Unaccounted For
In the northeastern Spanish region of Catalonia, a search is currently underway for two individuals who went missing following severe storms and flooding on Saturday evening. The missing persons—a woman and a child—were reportedly swept away by floodwaters while crossing the Foix River on a wooden bridge in the coastal town of Cubelles, approximately 30-31 miles from Barcelona [1][5].
The Catalan Fire and Rescue Service and other emergency responders are actively scouring the banks and mouth of the Foix river in hopes of locating the missing individuals [3][5]. The extreme weather, including torrential rains and strong winds, has severely impacted the region, resulting in flooded streets, submerged vehicles, and the evacuation of public facilities such as the Penedès Regional Hospital in Barcelona due to damage to its electrical systems [1].
Spanish authorities, including Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, have urged citizens to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow civil protection instructions as heavy rain warnings remain in place across multiple provinces, including Barcelona, Zaragoza, Girona, and Tarragona [2]. The State Meteorological Agency issued orange alerts for intense storms in several areas, underscoring the severity of the situation and complicating rescue operations [2].
The suspension of Renfe train services to Barcelona on Saturday afternoon was lifted in the evening after weather agency Aemet lifted its warnings for Catalonia [4]. Around 150 train passengers had to spend the night at Barcelona Sants station due to the suspended services.
In other parts of Spain, the impact of the severe weather was also felt. In the Valencia region, two women were treated in hospital after being struck by lightning, while in the neighboring region of Aragon and the province of Castellón in the Valencia region, flooding, damage, and numerous fire department deployments occurred [6].
The information about the missing people comes from Spanish media reports [7]. The situation remains fluid due to ongoing bad weather, and rescue teams continue to prioritize locating the missing persons amid challenging conditions [1][3][5].
- The General News has reported a call for citizens in Barcelona, Zaragosa, Girona, and Tarragona to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and adhere to civil protection instructions due to extreme weather, including the ongoing heavy rain warnings that were issued by Spanish authorities.
- Over in the Valencia region, where the weather has also taken a toll, two women were treated in a hospital after being struck by lightning, adding another facet to the Crime and Justice sector's concerns alongside the missing persons in Catalonia.
