Flash floods in Spain leave at least 95 dead and disrupt rail and road services

At least 95 people were reported dead by Spanish authorities on Wednesday after flash floods swept cars through village streets, closed roads and disrupted rail services in parts of eastern and southern Spain.

Torrential rain and hailstorms have caused flooding across multiple regions in the worst natural disaster to hit the country in recent decades.

Emergency services in the eastern Valencia region confirmed a death toll of 70 people on Wednesday. Another two deaths were reported in the neighbouring Castilla La Mancha region.

Valencia's regional president Carlos Mazón said it was "impossible" to provide an exact figure for the final death toll at this stage. He told a press conference on Wednesday morning that some people were still stranded in inaccessible locations.

The central government has launched a crisis committee, and more than 1,600 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units have been deployed to the devastated areas.

Three days of mourning starting on Thursday have been declared for those killed in the flash floods.

Videos shared on social media and by Spanish broadcasters show floodwater rising into the lower levels of homes, and carrying cars through streets. Police and rescue services have used helicopters to lift people from their houses and cars.

A high-speed train with nearly 300 people on board derailed near Malaga on Tuesday, although rail authorities said no one was hurt.

The flooding has led to several road closures, suspension of rail services, and flight diversions in cities including Valencia, Madrid and Barcelona.

National rail infrastructure operator ADIF said high-speed train services between Valencia and Madrid have been suspended, while other commuter lines across the affected regions have