Severe Weather in Andalucía Leaves One Dead, Two Missing Amid Government Response
Heavy rains in Andalucía have resulted in one confirmed death, two people missing, and widespread emergency responses as authorities coordinate rescue efforts and public safety measures.
- • One man found dead after van swept away in Alhaurín el Grande, Málaga.
- • Search continues for missing motorcyclist in Íllora, Granada.
- • Emergency services have handled 474 incidents amid heavy rains.
- • Government coordinating closely with regional authorities and praising rescue efforts.
Key details
A violent weather event in Andalucía has claimed one life and left two others missing due to intense rains causing flooding and dangerous river conditions. The tragedy occurred in Alhaurín el Grande, Málaga, where a van carrying two men was swept away by the Fahala River. Authorities found the body of one man, aged 53 or 54, about 1.6 kilometers downstream, but the other remains unaccounted for.
Simultaneously, emergency services are conducting ongoing search operations in Íllora, Granada, where a motorcyclist disappeared after being swept away while crossing the Arroyo de la Cañada stream. Although rescuers located his motorcycle, the young man has yet to be found. The search paused Sunday night and is set to resume Monday morning.
Emergency response teams, including the Guardia Civil and the Group of Emergencies of Andalusia (GREA), have been managing a surge of 474 incidents due to heavy rainfall impacting Málaga, Granada, and Almería. Málaga itself was under a red alert until early Sunday due to the Guadalhorce River reaching unprecedented levels, leading to evacuations in Cártama and Alhaurín de la Torre. Other areas in Granada and Almería remain on orange alert.
The 112 emergency service has been at the forefront of coordinating rescue efforts, with five commuter train services halted due to the floods. The Spanish government has maintained direct communication with regional authorities to streamline crisis management. President Pedro Sánchez publicly expressed his gratitude toward the emergency crews’ dedication. Third Vice President Sara Aagesen has been actively liaising with Andalusian leaders to assess and address evolving needs amid the disaster.
This severe weather underscores the challenges facing Andalucía’s emergency infrastructure during extreme natural events, highlighting the critical collaboration among national and regional agencies to save lives and protect communities.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
