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UK couple feared to be among nine dead in Mallorca floods UK couple feared to be among nine dead in Mallorca floods
(about 1 hour later)
A British couple are feared to be among nine people who have died in flash flooding in Mallorca.A British couple are feared to be among nine people who have died in flash flooding in Mallorca.
They were said to have drowned in a taxi as flood water engulfed the town of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, about 40 miles east of the capital, Palma, on Tuesday evening.They were said to have drowned in a taxi as flood water engulfed the town of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, about 40 miles east of the capital, Palma, on Tuesday evening.
A spokeswoman for the Balearic islands emergency services told the Guardian two Britons were feared dead, but she could not say whether other British people were missing. “Two Spaniards and a Dutch woman also died. Two of them died in Sant Llorenç, one in Artà and two in S’illot,” she said.A spokeswoman for the Balearic islands emergency services told the Guardian two Britons were feared dead, but she could not say whether other British people were missing. “Two Spaniards and a Dutch woman also died. Two of them died in Sant Llorenç, one in Artà and two in S’illot,” she said.
Later, the emergency services announced that nine people had been killed. They included two men whose bodies were found in Artà and s’illot. Later the emergency services announced that nine people had been killed. They included two men whose bodies were found in Artà and S’illot.
The spokeswoman said the reported deaths of the two Britons had yet to be officially confirmed, adding that emergency services were not certain how many people were missing after the flooding. “We’re still gathering information,” she said.The spokeswoman said the reported deaths of the two Britons had yet to be officially confirmed, adding that emergency services were not certain how many people were missing after the flooding. “We’re still gathering information,” she said.
The driver of the taxi is one of up to 15 people believed to be missing.The driver of the taxi is one of up to 15 people believed to be missing.
The Foreign Office said: “We are in contact with the Spanish authorities responding to flooding in Mallorca, and urgently seeking updates from them.” The UK’s ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, said a consular team was in contact with the authorities in Mallorca. “Our thoughts are with the victims … We stand ready to assist any UK citizens involved,” he tweeted.
There was heavy rain and flooding overnight in Sant Llorenç, emergency services said.
The regional government called an emergency meeting to coordinate rescue efforts and authorities said rescue workers and military units were heading to the area.The regional government called an emergency meeting to coordinate rescue efforts and authorities said rescue workers and military units were heading to the area.
The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said: “My solidarity and support goes out to the families and friends of victims and all those affected by these tragic floods.” The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, flew to the island to offer support to the emergency services, and announced that Sant Lloreç would be a declared a disaster zone. He said: “My solidarity and support goes out to the families and friends of victims and all those affected by these tragic floods.”
Videos showed cars being washed away in fast-moving, muddy water more than a metre deep. Videos showed cars being washed away in fast-moving, muddy water more than a metre deep. Footage of the aftermath in Sant Llorenç showed dozens of damaged and upturned vehicles many covered in debris.
Officials confirmed 300 rescue workers had been sent. Emergency relief centres were set up in sports halls.Officials confirmed 300 rescue workers had been sent. Emergency relief centres were set up in sports halls.
#InundacionsIB3 La primera nit després de la tragèdia a Sant Llorenç. Centenars de persones han passat la nit al poliesportiu de Manacor. Hi ha molts desapareguts. L'UME ja ha arribat a la base de Son Sant Joan https://t.co/W2hDLLisQh pic.twitter.com/XqyJarM3jv The tennis player Rafael Nadal, who is from Mallorca, offered to open up his sports centre and tennis academy to people displaced by the floods.
“Our most sincere condolences to the loved ones of the victims of the serious floods in San Llorenc,” he wrote on Instagram.
Spanish weather forecasters said 20cm (8in) of rain fell in four hours. On Wednesday, Spain’s meteorological office, Aemet, issued orange alerts for heavy rain in three areas: the Balearic islands, parts of Catalonia and the Andalucian province of Málaga.Spanish weather forecasters said 20cm (8in) of rain fell in four hours. On Wednesday, Spain’s meteorological office, Aemet, issued orange alerts for heavy rain in three areas: the Balearic islands, parts of Catalonia and the Andalucian province of Málaga.
The Foreign Office warned of “significant disruption and some road closures”, in updated travel advice for Mallorca.The Foreign Office warned of “significant disruption and some road closures”, in updated travel advice for Mallorca.
Aerial footage of the aftermath showed a road bridge near Palma was swept away in the floods. Aerial footage of the aftermath showed a road bridge near Palma was swept away in the floods. The authorities said 11 roads were blocked.
The emergency services department posted messages on Twitter in Spanish, Catalan, English and German, urging people to call 112 and let authorities know if they were stranded.The emergency services department posted messages on Twitter in Spanish, Catalan, English and German, urging people to call 112 and let authorities know if they were stranded.
Rosario Sánchez, the Spanish government’s delegate to the Balearic islands, said: “It’s been a tough night but I think the day will be even tougher.”Rosario Sánchez, the Spanish government’s delegate to the Balearic islands, said: “It’s been a tough night but I think the day will be even tougher.”
#InundacionsIB3 Primeres imatges aèries de la catàstrofe de #Mallorca. Aquesta és la zona afectada del Llevant: https://t.co/1fJyNvCwqb pic.twitter.com/9Q1lolHx8I#InundacionsIB3 Primeres imatges aèries de la catàstrofe de #Mallorca. Aquesta és la zona afectada del Llevant: https://t.co/1fJyNvCwqb pic.twitter.com/9Q1lolHx8I
Specialist rescue units from the Spanish army set off on a boat from Valencia, while a Spanish air force Hercules plane was due to take off at 5am local time (4am BST), carrying 90 rescuers. Two helicopters carrying three search dogs were also dispatched.Specialist rescue units from the Spanish army set off on a boat from Valencia, while a Spanish air force Hercules plane was due to take off at 5am local time (4am BST), carrying 90 rescuers. Two helicopters carrying three search dogs were also dispatched.
The prime minister was due to arrive in Mallorca early on Wednesday afternoon, a government spokeswoman said.
“The Spanish interior and territorial ministers and the government of the Balearic islands will present a report to the cabinet tomorrow to evaluate the loss of lives, the material damage done and to undertake the urgent, necessary measures in the face of the terrible suffered damage on the island of Mallorca,” she said.
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