Rescue operation at hols hotspot as flooding leaves drivers trapped in cars

12 June 2024 , 20:04
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The runway of Palma de Majorca airport was covered in water deep enough for a worker to fall back and swim in
The runway of Palma de Majorca airport was covered in water deep enough for a worker to fall back and swim in

PEOPLE in a Spanish holiday hotspot have been trapped inside their cars amid heavy flooding as rescue workers try to free them.

The country is experiencing huge torrents of rain that saw the runways of Majorca airport completely swamped on Tuesday.

Rescue workers use a rope to rescue a family from their trapped car eiqrdiqxxiqduprw
Rescue workers use a rope to rescue a family from their trapped car
An area of Murcia comes under deluge with heavy flooding on Wednesday
An area of Murcia comes under deluge with heavy flooding on WednesdayCredit: laopiniondemurcia
Shocking video showed the swirling muddied waters pouring down streets
Shocking video showed the swirling muddied waters pouring down streets
A red car is swept away in heavy storms in Murcia
A red car is swept away in heavy storms in Murcia

Shocking footage shows the streets of Murcia, a region in southeast Spain, turned into swirling rivers of brown water.

The mayor of Molina de Segura, a town in Murcia, declared an emergency as workers tried to contain the damage.

Cars became stranded in the sodden streets on Wednesday afternoon as storms rained down, La Opinion de Murcia reports.

Stormy gales wash walrus and seals ashore as urgent warnings for SNOW issuedStormy gales wash walrus and seals ashore as urgent warnings for SNOW issued

Spain's emergency service number, 112, was inundated with over 200 calls in just one hour today from those affected.

Massive levels of rainfall were recorded in the capital where the regional meteorological agency said more had hit in 20 minutes than "the normal average for the summer as a whole".

People trapped in their cars had to be rescued during the heavy storms.

Dramatic video showed a fire truck pulling up to a white car stuck in the middle of a swirling muddy river.

Using a rope to keep the rescue workers steady, they carried a child out from the car before going back to get the rest of the family.

Other clips shared on X captured the swirling torrents of muddied red water pouring down streets in the Spanish region.

Bins and vehicles were almost submerged after the heavy storms.

Some footage showed a red car being pulled down a rapid of floods on a residential street.

The same red car is pulled down the street by floods
The same red car is pulled down the street by floods
The white family car stranded on a residential street amid heavy flooding
The white family car stranded on a residential street amid heavy flooding
Cars and bins were almost submerged
Cars and bins were almost submerged
Reddish-brown mud rivers filled the streets
Reddish-brown mud rivers filled the streets

Molina mayor Eliseo Garcia said: “It rained a lot in a very short time in areas such as Campotejar damaging crops and houses."

He did confirm that "nobody died or was injured" in the area.

Skiers in Austria make the most of the little snow left as slopes meltSkiers in Austria make the most of the little snow left as slopes melt

Aemet, the state meteorological body, raised its weather warning for rain and storms to orange on Wednesday in several areas of Murcia.

The flooding began to ease around 7pm, according to reports.

Yesterday flights at Palma de Majorca Airport were axed when the popular British hotspot island was hit with heavy floods.

Dramatic pictures showed the jets grounded on the tarmac.

Others showed passengers inside the terminal trying to take cover as water leaked from the ceiling.

The website read: "Palma de Majorca Airport has temporarily limited operations due to the impact of a strong storm and has activated the emergency plan for flooding."

"Check with your company before going to the airport."

A renewed weather warning was sent out today following the floods for Majorca and the neighbouring island of Ibiza.

Majorca's Palma airport was flooded on Tuesday
Majorca's Palma airport was flooded on Tuesday
An airport worker falls back onto the flooded runway
An airport worker falls back onto the flooded runway
Passengers were left stranded as flights were axed
Passengers were left stranded as flights were axed

Ellie Doughty

Spain, Majorca, Weather - Latest forecast for the UK, Travel advice

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