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Spain floods: Heavy rain paralyses Barcelona, traps motorists in tunnels
The downpour disrupted daily life across Barcelona, with flooded roads and transport cancellations
Torrential rain has flooded Barcelona and parts of Spain’s Mediterranean coast, disrupting public transport and leading to rescue operations.
The intense downpours turned roads into rushing waterways, while a vehicle became trapped in a flooded tunnel. Emergency workers battled rising water levels as they attempted to reach the stranded vehicle.
The storm also led to a search operation in Olivella, around 40 kilometres west of Barcelona, after a car was swept away by floodwaters. Emergency services later recovered the body of a man believed to be the vehicle's driver. Earlier reports had incorrectly identified the missing person as a woman.
Flooded streets and transport disruption
A video shared by Barcelona City Council showed rescue workers attempting to reach a vehicle trapped inside a heavily flooded underpass. Water had submerged the roadway, creating dangerous conditions for both motorists and emergency personnel.
The heavy rain disrupted transport services across Barcelona. Some metro stations were closed, buses were diverted and regional train services were affected. Flights at Barcelona-El Prat Airport were also delayed or cancelled.
Emergency services in Catalonia received more than 850 calls related to the downpours, with over 500 incidents reported, according to local authorities.
Spain's national weather agency, AEMET, issued a red alert for Barcelona's coastline because of the risk of flash floods. Authorities urged people in Catalonia and neighbouring Valencia to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from flood-prone areas.
The rainfall also caused significant disruption in Valencia, where metro services were suspended and the airport was temporarily closed. Several flights were diverted, while a football match was postponed after the stadium pitch and players' tunnel were flooded.
The storm comes after Spain experienced its hottest summer on record and an unusually warm start to September. Officials have warned residents to remain cautious as heavy rain and dangerous weather conditions continue across parts of eastern Spain.
Authorities have advised people to avoid riverbeds, underpasses and coastal areas, and to follow emergency alerts and instructions issued by local officials.