Death toll rises from devastating floods in eastern Spain

(Patria) - Rescue teams have found the bodies of eight more people, victims of the devastating floods in eastern Spain, bringing the death toll in the Valencia region to 155.

Local authorities have not disclosed how many people are missing in the weather disaster considered the deadliest in Europe in recent years.

Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles stated that there are fears the death toll could be higher than the current one.

Local officials have criticised the central authorities for their response to the floods, claiming that the death toll would have been lower if citizens had been warned in a timely manner.

Meteorologists reported that on Tuesday, when the floods occurred, parts of Valencia received as much rain in eight hours as typically falls in a year.

Valencia's infrastructure has been severely damaged, with water washing away bridges, roads, and railways, and flooding agricultural land in a country that is the world's leading exporter of oranges.

Thousands of citizens, using a pedestrian bridge over the Turia River, headed to the centre of Valencia to stock up on basic necessities - such as water and toilet paper.

It is estimated that around 1,200 people remain trapped on various sections of the highway in Valencia, while about 5,000 vehicles are blocked due to the advancing water.

Rescue teams are investigating the wreckage of vehicles stuck in mud alongside roads, and TV footage shows heavy machinery being used to clear debris from the streets.

Residents described seeing people climbing onto the roofs of their cars as a tide of brown water surged through the streets, uprooting trees and tearing pieces of walls from buildings.

Spain issued another storm warning today for parts of the Valencia region.

Meanwhile, the state meteorological agency AEMET has issued the highest level of alert for the province of Castellon.