At least 51 people have been killed in Spain after flash floods struck parts of the country.

Torrential rains flooded roads and towns on Tuesday, resulting in cars being swept through streets, a train being derailed and damaged houses and buildings.

Authorities in the worst-hit areas had advised people to stay at home and avoid all non-essential travel.

Emergency services said at least 51 people have died in the floods affecting southeastern Spain.

Those killed, in the Valencia region, included children.

A man observes several cars being swept away by the water, after floods preceded by heavy rains caused the river to overflow its banks in the town of Alora, Malaga, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero)
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A man looks on at the destruction caused by the flash floods in Malaga province. Pic: AP

Cars are swept away by the water, after floods preceded by heavy rains caused the river to overflow its banks in the town of Alora, Malaga, Spain, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero)
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Cars are swept away by the water in Alora, Malaga province. Pic: AP

Cars are being swept away by the water, after floods preceded by heavy rains caused the river to overflow its banks in the town of Alora, Malaga, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero)
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Pic: AP

In Letur, near the Sierra de Segura, 30 people were trapped after the river running through the town burst its banks.

Dozens of videos shared on social media appeared to show people trapped in floodwaters, several of them hanging on to trees to avoid being swept away. Authorities used helicopters to rescue some residents from their homes.

Other videos shared by Spanish broadcasters showed floodwater rising into the lower levels of homes and even carrying cars through the street.

‘Trapped like rats’

Radio and TV stations received hundreds of calls for help from people trapped in flooded areas or searching for loved ones, as emergency services were unable to reach all affected locations.

Over 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units were deployed to the devastated areas.

“Yesterday was the worst day of my life,” Ricardo Gabaldón, the mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE. He said several people were still missing in his town.

“We were trapped like rats. Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to three meters,” he said.

‘It was mayhem’

A British couple told Sky News they had been stuck in their car for almost 10 hours.

Vitalij Farafonov and his wife were visiting Valencia on a yoga retreat when they were diverted by police from a motorway at around 8pm last night.

He said: “It was mayhem as we counted nine or 10 overturned lorries on a half mile stretch of the motorway.

“We’ve never seen anything like it.”

The couple, who are originally from the Midlands but now live in Luxembourg, have four children who are safe in Barcelona with relatives.

Mr Farafonov said he and his wife were stuck “on a random rural road in between what were beautiful orange groves”.

“We can finally see flashing blue lights so people do know where we are,” he added. “As I say, we are the lucky ones.”

Emergency workers help an elderly lady in Letur. Pic: Europa Press via AP
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Emergency workers help a woman in Letur. Pic: Europa Press via AP

A car sits partially on top of another after the Spanish meteorological agency put the Valencia region in the highest red alert for extreme rainfalls, in Llombai, Valencia, Spain, October 29, 2024. REUTERS/Eva Manez
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This was the scene following floods in Llombai, Valencia. Pic: Reuters

Emergency teams rescue a person who was stranded by the water in a Guardia Civil helicopter, after the floods preceded by heavy rains that caused the overflow of the river in the town of Alora, Malaga, Spain, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero)
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A helicopter rescue is carried out in Alora, Malaga. Pic: AP

Cars are swept away by the water, after floods preceded by heavy rains caused the river to overflow its banks in the town of Alora, Malaga, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero)
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Cars are swept away by the water in Alora. Pic: AP

Transport was severely affected by the flooding.

A high-speed train with almost 300 people on board was derailed near Malaga, but authorities said no one was hurt.

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Rail lines elsewhere were also disrupted.

Storms are forecast to continue until Thursday, according to the country’s weather service.

Spain has experienced similar autumn storms in recent years.

Scientists have warned that increased episodes of extreme weather, like flash floods, or the wildfires seen elsewhere in Europe in the summer, are likely linked to human-driven climate change.

Meteorologists believe the warming of the Mediterranean, which increases water evaporation, plays a key role in making torrential rains more severe.