Spanish rescuers search an underground car park as fresh floods hit Barcelona

Rescuers in Spain are focused on searching for people missing in underground garages and a multi-storey car park following last week’s devastating floods in Valencia.

Shoppers and workers are feared trapped inside the car park of the Aldaia shopping center on the outskirts of Valencia, as floodwaters inundate the area.

The police confirmed that no victims were found in the first 50 vehicles that were checked in the area.

But reports indicate that these vehicles were found near the entrance of the car park, while many others are still submerged and are yet to be checked.

This comes as Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has put part of the north-eastern region of Catalonia on alert for heavy rain, with its capital Barcelona hit by floods on Monday morning.

Catalan media showed images of partially submerged cars on the highway and floodwaters pouring into a bus. Water also flooded parts of the city’s El Prat airport, including the public area of ​​Terminal 1, and more than 60 flights were canceled, delayed or diverted. Rail services have been suspended.

The death toll after the year-long rains hit parts of the state last week stands at 217.

They reunite a missing British couple in their 70s, their family He confirmed that they were found dead in their car days after the floods hit the region.

On Monday morning, Spain’s interior minister refused to put a number on those still missing.

The storm trapped many victims in their cars on the streets and underground areas such as car parks, tunnels and garages where rescue operations are very difficult.

Outside the Bonaire shopping center in Aldaia on Monday, heaps of rotting rubbish littered the streets while noisy generators pumped out water – but thousands of liters remained inside the car park.

When the BBC asked a local police officer how long the work would take, he said he could not give an estimate, but the teams would stay here as long as necessary.

As is the case with many parts of the region affected by the floods, details are sparse.

There was anger over the lack of warning and insufficient support from the authorities after the floods.

On Sunday, the king and queen of Spain were being thrown with mud and other things by the angry protesters when he visited the city of Paiporta – one of the most affected in Valencia.

Things were also thrown at Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who was quickly dismissed.

The Civil Guard has opened an investigation into the chaotic scenes, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told broadcaster TVE.

He blamed “small groups” for causing the violence when mud was spread on the faces and clothes of the chiefs.

Local authorities in Valencia extended travel restrictions for two more days to facilitate the work of emergency services, canceled school classes and urged people to work from home.

Meanwhile the Spanish defense minister announced that another 2,500 soldiers will join the 5,000 soldiers already sent to the region this weekend to help distribute food and water, clean the streets and guard against robbers.

A warship carrying 104 marines and trucks with food and water is also on its way to the port of Valencia.