WORLD
At least 9 dead, several missing as heavy rain, floods hit Spain's Mallorca
Baku, October 10, AZERTAC
At least nine people have been killed and several remained missing after eastern parts of the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca became engulfed by torrential downpours and flash flooding overnight, emergency services said Wednesday, according to Agencia EFE.
Local emergency services confirmed the number of fatalities after two other bodies were found in the towns of Arta and S'illot on the eastern Mediterranean coast of the island while rescue teams continued their efforts to locate at least five others declared missing in the adverse weather conditions.
"I'm closely following the devastating news coming from Sant Llorenç (Mallorca)," Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a tweet. "My solidarity and support to the families and friends of the deceased and to all those affected by these tragic floods," he added.
The deputy mayor of Sant Llorenç, Antonia Bauza, told Spanish radio station SER that two Britons traveling in a taxi at the time of the flash flood were among the victims and that the driver of the vehicle was missing.
Around 300 members of the Civil Guard, firefighters, local police and civil protection personnel have been working in the affected areas since Tuesday night.
Several people have also been injured, according to local media reports, although the exact figures have not been specified by emergency services.
Around 100 people spent the night in a sports center in the nearby city of Manacor, which is on standby to provide shelter to those who are unable to reach their homes or have been forced to abandon them.
According to the local government of Mallorca, nine roads in the eastern part of the island were closed.
Up to 220 liters of water per square meter fell on Tuesday evening in Sant Llorenç, the government said.
Emergency services have asked people to stay inside, while students living in the affected areas have been asked not to attend school.
The defense ministry on Wednesday announced the arrival of 80 troops and seven vehicles of the Military Emergencies Unit in Majorca from the city of Valencia to cope with the crisis.
Mallorca, one of Spain's Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, is one of the country's main tourist destinations.