At least 12 people were killed after heavy rain and flash floods hit the Spanish island of Majorca on Tuesday night, regional authorities told CNN on Thursday.
Six of the victims were Spanish, with two British, two German and one Dutch citizen also among the victims, a spokesman for Spain’s Guardia Civil said Thursday. A 12th victim remains unidentified.
A rise in the death toll “remains a possibility,” the spokesman added.
Five of the deaths occurred in the Sant Llorenç area, about 35 miles east of the Balearic island’s capital, Palma, the regional government said Wednesday.
Others have been confirmed in the areas of S’illot, a small coastal town southeast of Sant Llorenç, and Artà, further to the north, the emergency services said.
“We are in contact with the Spanish authorities responding to flooding in Majorca, and urgently seeking updates from them,” a UK Foreign Office spokesperson said.
Hundreds of emergency responders, including members of the military, were deployed to the scene, the regional government tweeted on Wednesday. A moment’s silence was held at midday for those affected by the flooding.
Seven roads in the area were cut off, regional authorities said. Some schools were closed Wednesday because of the floods.
A video posted to Twitter by Sant Llorenç native Jeroni Puigros, filmed in the town by his mother, showed torrents of floodwater pouring through the streets.
Puigros, a filmmaker who is currently in Madrid, told CNN that his mother had reassured him she was safe. “The water is almost gone, but there’s mud everywhere. They are trying to clear everything,” he said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez tweeted his condolences. “My solidarity and support to the families and friends of victims and all those affected by these tragic floods,” he said.
Sánchez later visited Majorca, where he paid tribute to the work of the emergency services.
Tennis star Rafael Nadal, who is from Majorca, said it was a sad day for the island and offered the use of his tennis academy, located about seven miles from Sant Llorenç, for those in need of accommodation.
Real Madrid soccer player Marco Asensio, also from Majorca, voiced his “most heartfelt condolences” to the victims and their families and support for all those affected.
