Majorca floods: Two British among those killed in 'biblical' deluge

Couple's taxi 'swept away by a torrent of water'

Two Britons are among at least nine people killed in flash flooding that has swept the Spanish island of Majorca following a huge storm.

A British couple were reportedly in a taxi swept away by a torrent of water in the town of Sant Llorenc des Cardassar, about 40 miles east of the capital Palma.

Antonia Bauza, the deputy mayor of Sant Llorenc, confirmed two of the victims were British nationals and said their taxi driver was missing.

Several vehicles were destroyed after a flash flood hit the village of Sant Llorenc des Cardasar (EPA)

She told local radio that two other victims were local and included an elderly woman whose body was found in the basement of her house.

Two further victims died in the town of S’illot.

Witnesses said a dry creek overflowed, creating a strong current of water and mud that buried cars and tore down trees.

“It all happened in less than 10 minutes,” a witness told Spanish TV. “We had to swim to try to survive.”

More than 200 residents were evacuated from their homes overnight, while others sought refuge from the floods on their roofs.

The Foreign Office said in a statement: “We are in contact with the Spanish authorities responding to flooding in Majorca, and urgently seeking updates from them.”

Spanish authorities said 80 soldiers would join more than 100 rescuers working in the area.

The Spanish weather forecasters said 8in of rain fell in four hours, causing what social media users called “biblical” floods.

At least three towns closed schools and hundreds of people were given shelter in sport facilities. The flooding also affected phone communications and forced the closure of at least seven major roads.

Some parts of the island received up to 9in of rainfall in about four hours on Tuesday evening.

The Spanish weather agency said more heavy rainfall is expected on Wednesday in eastern and southern parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish prime minister, called news of the flooding “devastating”.

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

He will be flying to the area later on Wednesday, his office said.

Additional reporting by Press Association