Torrential rain brings deadly flooding to Spain – in pictures

Downpours caused Spain’s deadliest flooding in decades. Floodwaters surged through cities, towns and villages, trapping people in their homes, sweeping up cars in their wake and causing significant damage

Cars were swept away by the torrents of muddy flood water that surged through cities

Photograph: Alberto Saiz/AP

Heavy rains caused the river to burst its banks in the town of Álora, Malaga

Photograph: Gregorio Marrero/AP

Partially submerged vehicles after the Guadalhorce River burst its banks in Álora, Malaga

Photograph: Jorge Zapata/EPA

Residents inspect the cars and other debris left by the flood waters in Valencia

Photograph: Alberto Saiz/AP

A resident begins the clean up

Photograph: Antonio Garcia/EPA

People walk in a street covered in thick mud in Picanya

Photograph: José Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

Cars carried along by flood waters are stuck in the mud in a street in Valencia

Photograph: José Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

A man cleaning his flooded house in Valencia

Photograph: Alberto Saiz/AP

Cars and rubbish swept down streets in the flood waters – a clean-up operation must now begin

Photograph: Alberto Saiz/AP

People were urged to keep clear of flooded or cut-off roads

Photograph: Miguel Angel Polo/EPA

Damaged vehicles are submerged in flood waters at an industrial complex in Sedaví

Photograph: Miguel Angel Polo/EPA

Torrential rains triggered the country’s deadliest floods in three decades, unleashing torrents of muddy water

Photograph: Alberto Saiz/AP

People at a flooded supermarket in Paiporta

Photograph: Manuel Bruque/EPA

The torrential rain trapped people in their homes and cut off roads

Photograph: José Jordan/AFP/Getty Images

An aerial view of the river in spate

Photograph: Manuel Bruque/EPA

Valencia was badly hit by the floods

Photograph: Biel Aliño/EPA

Eva Defez is hugged by a friend after spending the night stranded with her family due to floods in Utiel

Photograph: Susana Vera/Reuters

Cars swept away by the floods piled high on the road in Utiel

Photograph: Manu Fernández/AP

Encarna Rivero is rescued after being stranded at a neighbour’s home in Letur

Photograph: Susana Vera/Reuters

A rescue team in Letur search for missing people. Dozens are known to have died

Photograph: Susana Vera/Reuters