Spain flash floods: Death toll rises to 158

Madrid : The death toll from flash floods caused by heavy rain in Spain has reached at least 158, according to emergency rescue services on Thursday afternoon.

In Valencia, officials confirmed that 155 people lost their lives due to the floods that occurred from Tuesday night into Wednesday, as reported by Xinhua news agency. The Valencian emergency coordination centre posted on social media that rescue workers are still searching for and identifying victims. Three more deaths were reported in the regions of Andalusia and Castile-La Mancha.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the Center for Coordinated and Integrated Operations in Valencia on Thursday, warning that the severe weather responsible for the heavy rain and floods is “not over.”

Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente announced that the high-speed rail line between Valencia and Madrid will be out of service for at least two weeks, as two tunnels collapsed and damaged the tracks due to the torrential rains.