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Date Published: 30/10/2024

British man, 71, among dead in Spain as storm moves to Andalucía

The death toll in Spain continues to rise as Andalucía records its first fatality and authorities issue red alerts

A 71-year-old British man has become the first recorded fatality from the intense flooding sweeping Andalucía, bringing the national toll from the DANA storm to almost 100.

The British man, who was rescued from his flooded home in Alhaurín de la Torre near Málaga, was rushed to hospital suffering from hypothermia and cardiac complications but tragically succumbed to his injuries this Wednesday October 30.

The storm system, which has ravaged Spain for days and caused the most damage in Valencia, has transformed Andalucía’s typically dry landscapes into torrents, with Málaga province taking some of the heaviest hits.

Read also: Why it rained so much in Valencia—The science behind Spain’s severe DANA storm

Local emergency services reported over 1,100 incidents, including widespread rescues and damage to infrastructure, as the region braces for continued rain. Andalucía’s president, Juanma Moreno, announced the fatality and urged residents to stay vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel, and heed official advisories as severe weather persists.

“Extreme caution is essential,” Moreno stressed on social media, highlighting that emergency services are on high alert as waterlogged rivers and mountainsides remain at risk of further flash floods.

Málaga, Granada, Cádiz and Sevilla are suffering the brunt of the storm, with ongoing efforts to assist those stranded or affected by the deluge. In Málaga province alone, 437 emergency calls have been logged, with incidents concentrated in flood-prone areas around the Guadalhorce Valley, including the towns of Álora, Pizarra, Cártama and Alhaurín de la Torre.

In these areas, Guardia Civil has successfully rescued dozens of people from rising waters without major injuries but continues to coordinate evacuation efforts as rivers swell.

In Cádiz, heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Schools were flooded in El Puerto, while in Jerez, local authorities had to rescue three young children trapped in a submerged street.

Elsewhere, a retaining wall near Guadalcacín collapsed, damaging railway infrastructure and temporarily halting transport in some areas.

Seville also saw a wave of emergency responses, including assistance with fallen trees, waterlogged streets and temporarily closed public parks. Meanwhile, Málaga Airport has been affected by flight cancellations and delays, with disruptions expected as long as heavy rain continues.

Related story: Lightning strike grounds flights at Málaga Airport

In response to the worsening conditions, Andalucía’s Infoca Forest Fire Fighting Service has redirected its resources to flood response and clean-up operations. Forest firefighters, typically stationed to combat wildfires, have been deployed to areas like Serón and Vélez Blanco to clear debris, pump floodwaters and secure roadways, supported by fire engines and other equipment.

With continued red alerts for Cádiz, emergency responders and local authorities are working around the clock to prevent further casualties. The torrential rains, which have been worsened by unusually warm Mediterranean waters and an ongoing atmospheric depression, are forecast to continue moving across the country, putting other regions at risk of flooding.

The DANA system’s intensity has forced the regional government to activate its Emergency Flood Risk Plan, with parts of Málaga, Cádiz and Sevilla remaining at an elevated operational phase.

Spain’s Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued ongoing weather warnings stretching across Andalucía, advising residents to stay indoors, avoid driving near rivers or flood-prone roads and keep emergency contacts at the ready.

As Andalucía faces further rain and the possibility of additional flooding, President Moreno has assured the public that the government will continue its response efforts and warned that conditions may yet worsen.

With several towns and villages still vulnerable to further flooding, the resilience of Andalucía’s emergency services will be crucial in the coming days.

Images: Juanma Moreno / Junta de Andalucía

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British man, 71, among dead in Spain as storm moves to Andalucía

The death toll in Spain continues to rise as Andalucía records its first fatality and authorities issue red alerts

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