Spanish rescuers search underground parking lots as new floods hit Barcelona

Spanish rescuers are focusing their search for missing people in underground garages and multi-storey car parks after last week’s devastating floods in Valencia.

It is feared shoppers and workers were trapped inside the car park at a shopping center in Aldaia, on the outskirts of Valencia, as floodwaters entered the area.

Police confirmed there were no victims in the first 50 vehicles checked at this location.

However, reports suggest the cars were found near the entrance to the car park and most of the remains remain submerged and undiscovered.

It comes as Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) placed parts of northeastern Catalonia on red alert for torrential rain, with the capital Barcelona hit by flooding on Monday morning .

Catalan media showed cars partially submerged on the highway and floodwaters pouring into buses. Water has also flooded parts of the city’s El Prat airport, including the public areas of Terminal 1, and more than 60 flights have been cancelled, delayed or diverted. Rail services have been suspended.

The death toll after a year’s worth of rain hit parts of the region last week now stands at 217.

Among them was a missing British couple in their 70s and their family confirmed they were found dead in their car days after flash floods hit the area.

On Monday morning, Spain’s Interior Minister refused to give a figure for those still missing.

The storm caught many victims in their vehicles on the roads and in underground spaces such as parking lots, tunnels and garages, where rescue operations were particularly difficult.

Outside the Bonaire shopping center in Aldaia on Monday, piles of rotting debris lined the roads while generators noisily pumped water – but thousands of gallons remained in the mall’s parking lot.

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

As is the case in many places in flood-ravaged areas, information is in short supply.

There has been anger at the lack of warning and inadequate support from authorities following the floods.

On Sunday, the king and queen of Spain were was pelted with mud and other objects by angry protesters during a visit to the town of Paiporta – one of the hardest hit places in Valencia.

Objects were also thrown at Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who was quickly evacuated.

Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska told public broadcaster TVE that the Civil Guard had opened an investigation into the chaotic scene.

He blamed “marginal groups” for instigating the violence that caused mud to splatter on the faces and clothes of the monarchs.

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

Meanwhile, Spain’s Defense Minister announced that an additional 2,500 soldiers will join the 5,000 troops already sent to the region over the weekend to help distribute food and water, clean streets and protect against looters.

A warship carrying 104 marine infantrymen as well as trucks carrying food and water is also en route to the port of Valencia.