Rainstorms that started Tuesday and continued Wednesday caused flooding across southern and eastern Spain, stretching from Malaga to Valencia. Muddy torrents tumbled vehicles down streets at high speeds while debris and household items swirled in the water. Police and rescue services used helicopters to lift people from their homes and rubber boats to reach drivers stranded atop cars.
"Yesterday was the worst day of my life," Ricardo Gabaldón, the mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE on Wednesday. He said six residents perished and more are missing. "We were trapped like rats. Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to 3 meters (9.8 feet)," he said.
Spain's government declared three days of mourning starting Thursday. "For those who are looking for their loved ones, all of Spain feels your pain," Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in a televised address.
Javier Berenguer, 63, escaped his bakery in Utiel when crushing water threatened to overwhelm him. He said it rose to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) inside his business, and he fears his livelihood has been destroyed. "I had to get out of a window as best I could..."
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