Spain is one of Britain’s most loved holiday destinations, but travel warnings for the country have been issued following the heavy rainfall and floods, which have caused over 200 deaths.
The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) provides travel advice for British travellers, and since the flooding, the department has updated its advice on Spain with some new information.
It stated: “Severe weather and flooding is affecting many areas of Southern and Eastern Spain, particularly the Valencia region and Castilla La Mancha. Journeys may be affected.
“Check the latest weather warnings from Spain’s meteorological office before you travel and follow instructions from local authorities.”
It has been reported that at least 217 people have lost their lives in the Valencia floods, with people still missing.
In a televised address, Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, described the flooding as “the worst natural disaster in our [Spain’s] recent history.”
He said: “There are still dozens of people looking for their loved ones and hundreds of households mourning the loss of a relative, a friend or a neighbour.
“I want to express our deepest love to them and assure them that the government of Spain and the entire state, at all its different administrative levels, is with them all.”
The Spanish government has also sent an additional 5,000 national police and civil guard officers to the region, which already had 2,500 soldiers and 5,000 police officers deployed.
The Prime Minister said: “It is the biggest operation by the Armed Forces in Spain in peacetime.”
A red weather warning has also been issued in Barcelona, warning residents of “extreme danger.”
The FDCO advises that those travelling to Spain through France or Gibraltar should check the advice for the countries, adding that “no travel can be guaranteed safe” and that Brits should “read all the advice in this guide.”
