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Several dead after flash floods hit Spain's Mallorca

Flash floods have hit the Spanish island of Mallorca, killing several people.

Police officers stand next to vehicles destroyed in Sant Llorenc

Police officers stand next to vehicles destroyed in Sant Llorenc Source: AAP

At least eight people including two Britons have been killed as heavy rain and flash floods hit the Spanish island of Mallorca.

Torrents of brown water swept cars along narrow streets in the eastern town of Sant Llorenc. Rivers burst their banks and swamped roads and people's homes - forcing some to take shelter in a sports centre in the nearby town of Manacor.

At least another nine people were still missing after the downpours, El Pais and other media reported, though emergency services said they could not confirm that figure.

People clean the mud from their houses in Sant Llorenc, the town hardest hit by the downpours located 60km east of Mallorca's capital
People clean the mud from their houses in Sant Llorenc, the town hardest hit by the downpours located 60km (40 miles) east of Mallorca's capital Source: AAP

Two of the victims were British, a senior official from the San Llorenc mayor's office, Antonia Bauza, told radio station Cadena Ser.

"It's been a huge storm. In just two hours, some 180 litres of rain fell and we realised that we could not control the water," Bauza said.

"The situation is a disaster and we're trying to locate survivors and help people but everything is flooded and people cannot leave their homes."

Residents swept water and mud out of those houses as the floods subsided early on Wednesday, leaving roadsides strewn with wrecked vehicles and beaches covered in debris.

A resident looks at vehicles damaged by floods in the village of Sant Llorenc des Cardasar
A resident looks at vehicles damaged by floods in the village of Sant Llorenc des Cardasar Source: AAP

The regional government called an emergency meeting and authorities said rescue workers and military units had been sent to the area to help.

"My solidarity and support goes out to the families and friends of victims and all those affected by these tragic floods," Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Twitter.

Sanchez's office said the prime minister was travelling to the area.

Politicians held a minute's silence before the weekly prime minister's question time on Wednesday morning.


2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters, SBS



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