Severe weather update - 3 dead in the southeast of Spain due to heavy rainfall, flooding and thunderstorms
A third person has died in Spain as extreme weather continues to sweep across the southeast of the country.
The latest fatality occurred in the city of Almeria, where a man drowned when his car became trapped in a tunnel, the AFP news agency reported.
A tweet from Almeria city hall revealed that the tunnel was "flooded by a huge amount of water in a few minutes," AFP said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a tweet that it was "a hard and difficult night. Several locations remain on alert for torrential rains. We sadly regret a third fatality in Almeria."
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The latest death follows those of two siblings on Thursday -- a 61-year-old man and his 51-year-old sister died when their vehicle was swept away by fast-moving waters in Caudete, about 60 miles southwest of Valencia, AFP reported, citing the emergency services.
Large sections of the southeastern Spain have been battered by storms and heavy rainfall since Wednesday. The country's meteorological office (AEMET) has issued an "extreme risk" weather warning for Valencia, Alicante, Murcia, Almeria and the Balearic Islands.
Flash flooding is causing widespread road closures and serious disruption to public transportation.
The closure of local train networks, dozens of roads and the airports in Almeria and Murcia has led to long delays, according to Spanish airport operator Aena.
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In a statement on its website, Aena said: "Adverse weather at many airports. Due to the heavy rain the Internacional Región de Murcia airport remain closed. The most affected areas are the accesses to the facilities.
"These adverse weather conditions affect the airports of Almería, Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat and Palma de Mallorca. Check the status of your flight with your airline."
Authorities have urged members of the public to stay at home where possible, and schools across the region have suspended classes, according to AFP.
Meanwhile, the news agency reported emergency services as saying that some 60 people were rescued early Friday from a campsite in the Cabo de Gata nature reserve on the coast of Almeria.
"Thunderstorms will continue across eastern Spain and the Balearics for the remainder of this week, but we expect that things will start easing off by Sunday," she said.
Anyone traveling to the regions to "exercise extreme caution and follow the advice of the local authorities.
Kenneth from the Donegal Weather Channel
Kenneth from the Donegal Weather Channel.
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Kind Regards
Kenneth