At least 158 people have died in Spain's most severe flooding disaster in decades, affecting multiple regions including Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Andalusia.

Valencia recorded 155 deaths, with the town of Paiporta particularly hard hit.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez visited the affected areas, emphasizing the urgent need to save lives.

Over 1,200 rescue workers are on the ground, utilizing drones to locate survivors.

However, many residents continue to recover bodies from debris.

Criticism has arisen over the timing of flood warnings, with the civil protection agency alerting the public late on Tuesday after floods had already begun.

Scientists attribute the extreme rainfall to climate change, identifying a 'gota fria' – a cold air event interacting with warm Mediterranean waters – as the trigger.

This tragic event echoes past flooding tragedies in Spain, notably one in 1973 with a similar death toll.

Spain has declared a three-day national mourning period, with flags at half-mast and communities observing moments of silence.