Helicopters and excavators were used to rescue floods that caused chaos in Spain

Dozens of people are known to have died after torrential rain caused devastating flash floods in southeastern Spain.

Footage posted to social networks shows floodwaters causing chaos, collapsing bridges and dragging cars across the road.

In the town of Chiva near Valencia, more than a year’s worth of rain fell in just eight hours and local officials said it was “impossible” to give a final toll on the number of deaths.

More than 1,000 soldiers are being deployed to support rescue operations while many people are still missing.