October 03, 2026

Spain flood kills 102-year-old woman, prompts large rescue operation

A town in Castilla-La Mancha recorded 142 litres of rain per square metre after heavy rainfall

Spain flood kills 102-year-old woman, prompts large rescue operation
Damaged vehicles in the aftermath of flooding caused by heavy rains, in Madrigueras, Spain, Oct 3, 2026. REUTERS/Eva Manez

Reuters

Published : 03 Oct 2026, 04:44 PM

Updated : 03 Oct 2026, 04:44 PM

A woman aged 102 died and firefighters rescued 90 people after flooding in the town of Madrigueras in southeastern Spain, regional authorities said on Saturday.

The flooding follows the hottest summer on record in Spain, where almost 2,150 people are thought to have died from heat-related causes in August.

Cars were floating in the streets of Madrigueras after heavy rain on Friday and prompted a large-scale rescue operation, said authorities in the Castilla-La Mancha region.

Firefighters found the body of the woman who died in her house in Madrigueras where the water had risen to over 1 metre (3 feet).

Authorities said 142 litres of rainfall per square metre fell on the town of 4,760 inhabitants.

Heavy rains fell in many areas of southeastern and northeastern Spain on Friday.

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