Foreign Office issues Spain travel update after deadly floods

British holidaymakers in Spain have been warned by the Foreign Office as severe flooding has claimed at least 63 lives in the Valencia region. Torrential rains triggered flash floods, prompting emergency services to work through the night evacuating residents, with 1,000 soldiers assisting in the efforts.

The president of Valencia, Carlos Mazón, took to social media, stating: "These are very difficult times for relatives and missing persons. In the next few hours we will confirm the number of victims, but right now it is still impossible to provide an exact figure. We are dismayed."

He also emphasised: "We reiterate the importance of NOT travelling by road, both in the province of Valencia and in Castellón. The telephone number for assistance to relatives of missing persons is activated. We have started to rescue, we have started to access places that until very recently were inaccessible, and we continue to work."

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is advising British travellers to heed local authority guidance and stay informed on weather updates, highlighting that "Severe weather and flooding is affecting many areas of Southern and Eastern Spain, particularly the Valencia region and Castilla La Mancha."

"Journeys may be affected. Check the latest weather warnings from Spain's meteorological office before you travel and follow instructions from local authorities."

While the heavy rain in Valencia had subsided by Wednesday morning, Spain's national weather agency Aemet continues to issue alerts for storms and rain across various regions of the country, reports the Manchester Evening News. A special advisory notice is set to remain active until Thursday.