Scottish couple named as Majorca flood victims

Delia and Antony Green had been on holiday in Majorca

A couple who lived in Moffat have been named as victims of a flash flood in Majorca.

Antony and Delia Green, who moved to Scotland from Atherton in Greater Manchester, were passengers in a taxi when water surged into the area around the coastal resort of Sant Llorenc.

Driver Juan Sillero was also killed.

At least 12 people are now believed to have died after torrential rainstorms hit the area around Sant Llorenc des Cardassar on Tuesday night.

The Foreign Office said it was supporting the couple's family.

Cars were swept away when the flash flood struck

The flood caused significant damage

In a statement issued through the Foreign Office, the family said: "We are deeply shocked by the sudden passing of our parents Delia and Tony Green in the tragic events in Majorca. They were travelling out to Majorca for a two-week holiday when they were caught up in the flooding.

"Delia and Tony were a loving, kind and caring couple. They were at their happiest when they were with their family and friends.

"They recently celebrated 55 years of marriage. Originally from Atherton, Greater Manchester, they retired to Moffat 14 years ago."

The statement added: "Our thoughts also go out to their taxi driver and his family who are coming to terms with their loss as well."

Mr and Mrs Green, both in their 70s, were found by divers inside the vehicle in the early hours of Wednesday.

The taxi was submerged by the flood water in the resort town of S'illot. Friend Emilio Dicerbo said everyone in Moffat, where the couple lived for more than 10 years, would be "devastated" by their deaths.

The 84-year-old retired ice cream merchant said: "They were a very friendly, lovely couple.

"Tony would always get out a bit to the shops most mornings and we would have a blether.

"He liked to go have a game of pool, he loved his wee bit of potted plants outside his front door - he did tend his plants, very neat and tidy."

'A friendly couple'

Mr Dicerbo added: "They were a very friendly couple, just normal. Everyone will be devastated."

More than 80 soldiers joined the rescue and clean-up effort

The Reverend Adam Dillon was a Church of Scotland minister in Moffat for 10 years and knew both flood victims.

He told the BBC: "Tony and Delia were always a very lovely couple about the town.

"Tony kept himself to himself but was a strong and silent supporter of Delia who had the bigger friendships in the town."

Proud grandparents

He added: "The two of them were very much family folk, they did everything they could for the family.

"Three of their grandchildren were head girls and head boy of Moffat Academy and Delia and Tony were so proud of them.

"It was always a real pleasure and a joy to know the two of them.

"Delia was very much one of the ladies who liked to lunch in Moffat and she had many friendships around the town. I would always remember Delia as someone who would enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of cake and laughing with her friends. She had a joyous laugh about her.

"Tony would enjoy a blether in the chemist and we would catch up on how the grandchildren were getting on."

The Rev Adam Dillon described the Greens as "a joyous couple"

Mr Dillon feels they will be missed.

He said: "I think it will be a sad and shocking bit of news for the town and I am sure the community will be very devastated to hear of this untimely death and the circumstances surrounding it.

"This was a time for them to have enjoyed life and I am sure they would have been looking forward to going out and just spending a bit of time in the sun before the winter."

Former Moffat Academy headteacher Jeff Brown said the whole area was stunned at what happened.

Former Rector of Moffat Academy, Jeff Brown said the town was in shock

He said: "The reaction of the whole community is a deep feeling of sadness, of a couple that went away on holiday looking for joy and this sadness has overcome them.

"It is a loss of two lovely people to the community - a dark day outside and inside.

"You think of a place that is full of sun and joy and you just can't take in what has happened to this family."

'Ready to assist'

A spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are supporting the family of two British people following their deaths in Spain, and will do all we can to assist them at this deeply difficult time.

"Our staff remain in contact with the Spanish authorities who are responsible for responding to the floods, and are ready to assist any other British people who require our help."

Hundreds of residents have been forced to move to emergency shelters

Weather forecasters reported that eight inches of rain fell in the area - 40 miles east of the capital of Palma on the Spanish island - in just four hours.

Witnesses described having minutes to find safety as the water levels rose, inundating houses and catching motorists off guard.

Floodwaters tore down trees, swept numerous cars and trucks into piles of twisted metal and buried streets under mud.

A massive clean-up effort has now begun in the worst-hit eastern towns and villages, where hundreds of residents are returning to clear their badly damaged homes from the flood waters.

Soldiers are still searching for three people, including a five year old boy, missing since Monday evening.

'Months from normality'

Police in the worst hit town of Sant Llorenç say they're dealing with many incidents of looting, and have increased patrols.

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez called news of the flooding "devastating" as he visited the area on Wednesday.

He said: "My solidarity and support goes out to the families and friends of victims and all the affected by these tragic floods."

He said the disaster hit towns, which once offered a picture postcard image of the island, will take months to bring back to normality.

Hundreds of displaced residents are in emergency shelters, and about 80 soldiers were expected to join more than 100 rescuers who are working in the area.