Rescue efforts underway in Alicante as roads are submerged in flood waters

Video. Rescue efforts underway in Alicante as roads are submerged in flood waters

Rescue efforts were underway in the Spanish village of Pilar de la Horadada on Friday (September 13), as a third person died due to the series of floods across the southern region.

Rescue efforts were underway in the Spanish village of Pilar de la Horadada on Friday (September 13), as a third person died due to the series of floods across the southern region.

Heavy rainfall in the regions of Valencia and Murcia have been sweeping away cars and debris and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people, including from submerged highways.

Reuters images showed an overturned van in half-submerged floodwaters on the AP7 motorway, with a man helping in rescue efforts saying he did not know if anybody was inside.

Almeria and Murcia's airports were closed, said Spanish airport operator Aena, and tourists were also left stranded in Alicante airport.

The man who died in the Andalucian city of Almeria on Friday (September 13) had tried to cross a tunnel by car, mayor Ramón Fernández Pacheco said. Two siblings also died on Thursday (September 12) when torrential rain dragged their car.

Although the weather has begun to stabilise, several of the southeastern regions remain on red alert and local water management authorities said rivers like the Segura were still at risk of overflowing in the city of Murcia.

Authorities still recommend that citizens remain at home and avoid using their cars.