Death toll in Spain's floods rises to 158, among Europe's worst storm disasters

Rescue teams discovered the bodies of eight people on Thursday (Oct 31) who had been trapped in a garage after devastating flash floods hit easter Spain, as the death toll in the Valencia region alone climbed to 158.


Local authorities have not disclosed how many people are still unaccounted for after Europe's deadliest floods in years and Defence Minister Margarita Robles said the final national death toll could be much greater.


Opposition politicians accused the central government in Madrid of acting too slowly to warn residents and send in rescue teams, prompting the Interior Ministry to say regional authorities were responsible for civil protection measures.

Valencia Mayor Maria Jose Catala told reporters that a local policeman was among the eight bodies found drowned in the garage in the city's suburb of La Torre. In the same neighbourhood, she added, a 45-year-old woman was also found dead in her home.

MORE Death toll in Spain's floods rises to 158, among Europe's worst storm disasters - CNA