Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

We reported on the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's speech a bit earlier, during which he warned citizens to remain careful, and told those in affected areas "we won't abandon you".

In his televised address Sanchez also promised to rebuild infrastructure that has been destroyed, adding: "For those who are still looking for their loved ones, the whole of Spain weeps with you."

Image source, EPA

Ángel Víctor Torres, minister for territorial policy, says the government is unable to provide official data on how many people are missing.

Rescue operations are ongoing after more than a year's worth of rain fell in just eight hours, causing flash floods in part of south-eastern Spain.

King Felipe VI spoke of the "enormous destruction" caused by the flooding and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has said more than 1,000 troops have been deployed to help with the rescue operations.

Consuelo Tarazon, mayor of Horno de Alcedo, a town just outside Valencia, told BBC Newshour the town was "flooded in minutes."

"The currents were so quick – and we called the emergency services who started rescuing some people who had water up to their necks", she says calling it “a total catastrophe”.

She says the area is still flooded but authorities have responded well to the crisis.

"I’m suffering from lots of anxiety at the moment. It’s been a really really hard night," she adds.

Image source, @CasaReal

In the last hour, King Felipe VI spoke of his "devastation and concern" over the flash flooding.

He speaks of "enormous destruction" to infrastructure and says there is still difficulty accessing some areas.

"Along with the Queen, we would like to convey our condolences to all the families affected who have lost loved ones and who in some cases still do not know what has happened to some of their relatives," he tells Spanish media in a short news conference.

The latest images from various flood-hit areas of south-eastern Spain are coming through from photographers on the ground.

Here's what we're seeing:

Image source, EPA

Image source, EPA

Image source, EPA

Sophie Abdulla
BBC News

Local authorities in affected Spanish regions are issuing warnings over false information circulating on social media.

In a post on X, external, the Manises City Council says information will be communicated through official channels and asks people to not disseminate "false information". It adds that there is no risk of overflow at the Manises Dam in the municipality.

This sentiment is echoed in a post on the president of the Valencian government's Facebook account, external, which reiterated calls to follow information through official channels only - alongside a video statement from José Miguel Basset, the chief inspector of the Valencia Fire Department, clarifying that "no town in L’Horta Sud is being evacuated".

Meanwhile, Valencia's environment ministry has issued a warning over false claims about drinking water in the city, saying there is “no risk of contamination”, external. Valencia City Council, in a post on X, added that drinking water in homes is "suitable for consumption and meets public health requirements".

Matt Taylor
BBC Weather

While the worst of the Spanish storms are over, the low pressure system responsible remains across Iberia today and tomorrow.

Less widespread storms could bring a further 80 to 100mm of rain in the next 12 hours.

The national weather service is highlighting areas including Campiña Gaditanan and Campiña Sevillana as being at the greatest risk of this, and have issued amber warnings for the rain in these areas.

Image source, EPA

With at least 62 people now known to have died, and a number feared missing, after torrential rain led to flash floods in the south-eastern Spain, here's the latest:

• More than a year's worth of rain fell in just eight hours in Chiva, Valencia, with video showing floodwaters dragging cars through the streets and leaving people clinging to trees
• Local authorities have issued warnings over false information circulating on social media, advising people to only listen to official channels
• More than 1,000 troops have been deployed to help with the rescue operation, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez promising residents "we won't abandon you"

• Criticism has been directed towards the regional government of Valencia, which eliminated the Valencia Emergency Unit (UVE) upon taking office in 2023
• Around 155,000 households are still without electricity in the Valencia region, a local electricity provider says, and state railway company Adif says trains on the high-speed Madrid-Valencia and Barcelona-Valencia are cancelled
• Much of Spain has been badly hit by heavy rain and hailstorms

Several governments and international organisations have expressed sympathy with Spain and offered to help with relief efforts - here's a look at what some of them have said.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the bloc has activated the Copernicus satellite system to help coordinate rescue teams.

European Council President Charles Michel says the EU "is ready to provide its support" to Spain.

A spokesperson for the German government told reporters Berlin offered help with flood relief, without specifying if the offer was accepted.

Neighbouring Portugal offers Spain "all necessary help," Prime Minister Luis Montenegro writes on X.

As we've been reporting flash floods have hit parts of the south-east of Spain, and now a severe weather warning has been issued for Catalonia, a region of northern Spain.

Meteocat, the Catalan weather service, has issued the severe weather warning. It warns of hail exceeding two centimetres in diameter, wind gusts of more than 25 meters per second and tornadoes or waterspouts in the Spanish province.

The level of danger is at its highest, it says - ranking six out of six.

The death toll has risen from 62 people, after it was earlier reported at least 51 people had been killed, according to the Interior Ministry's Integrated Operational Coordination Centre (Cecopi).

The update calls this number "provisional" and says the process of identifying victims continues.

Guy Hedgecoe
Reporting from Madrid

The regional government of Valencia has faced criticism for allegedly failing to prepare sufficiently for the flash floods.

“There are governments which privatise and dismantle when they arrive in institutions and there are governments who are proud of that,” said Gabriel Rufián, of the Catalan Republican Left (ERC).

He was referring to the conservative administration of Carlos Mazón, who eliminated the Valencia Emergency Unit (UVE) on taking office in 2023, on the grounds that it was inefficient.

Speaking on the radio, Mr Mazón defended his handling of the crisis, saying that “the experts talk about an absolutely unprecedented situation”.

He also responded to claims that warnings about the floods had not been robust enough, saying that they had been provided “in the correct way”.

State railway company Adif says trains on the high-speed Madrid-Valencia and Barcelona-Valencia are cancelled. Suburban trains around Valencia are also affected, though Adif adds that some lines may be "subject to the evolution of the weather".

Some football matches have also been cancelled because of the weather, including:

• CP Parla Escuela v Valencia CF
• Pontavedra v Levante UD

BBC Weather's Matt Taylor has taken a look at what has caused the flash floods, as the region in south-eastern Spain saw more than a year's worth of rainfall in eight hours.

The heavy rainfall has been put, in part, down to a Dana phenomenon, in the video below Matt explains what this means.

About 155,000 households still lack electricity in the Valencia region, a local electricity provider says.

Iberdrola says supply has been disrupted particularly around the Catadau area, where rains and strong winds affected power lines.

Some affected municipalities include Carlet, Montserrat, Catadau, Montroy and Benimodo.

Repair work may take time due to the conditions, the company adds.

We're seeing pictures now from Picanya, near Valencia in eastern Spain, where buildings have been damaged and cars left stranded in the streets.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, says "Europe is ready to help" after what she calls the "catastrophic consequences" of flooding on Spain's south and east coast.

In a statement on X,, external she gives her solidarity to all affected and says she is grateful to the emergency workers "who are doing everything they can to help people in need".

Sanchez finishes his remarks with a plea to residents in affected areas to listen to warnings being issued by officials.

We weren't given any major updates on the number of people who've been killed or injured due to the floods. For now, we know that at least 51 people are known to have died.

When we do hear such updates, we'll bring you them right here.

Continuing, Spain's prime minister tells flood victims "we won't abandon you".

He says lots of people are facing uncertainty, but Spain will help them - and will have all the resources for people to recover their lives and homes.

Emergency services are working tirelessly, he says, including local police, NGOs and the Guardia Civil - the national police force with military status.

Sanchez says that a governmental crisis committee, which was set up yesterday, will continue to work with mayors of the affected areas.

Sanchez tells Spanish citizens to remain careful. Amber warnings are still in place in several areas of southern Spain, he says.

Residents of regions including Valencia, Andalusia and Catalonia should take precautions. Try not to drive or be near bridges, he says, urging people not to put their lives at risk.

Spain has suffered many emergencies in recent years, but the country always shows its best side during difficult situations, he says, referring to the Covid-19 pandemic and previous natural disasters.