Heavy rain kills three across Catalonia and Spain
- Severe rainfall across Spain on October 3 and October 4, 2026, caused at least two deaths in Catalonia and a third fatality in the southeast of the country,...
- In the Catalan locality of Tordera, situated west of Lloret de Mar, a 65-year-old man died when a campsite wall collapsed under the weight of water.
- Northern Spain also experienced severe disruptions, with parts of the old town in Bilbao, located in the Basque Country, facing knee-high floodwaters.
Severe rainfall across Spain on October 3 and October 4, 2026, caused at least two deaths in Catalonia and a third fatality in the southeast of the country, while emergency services rescued trapped motorists from rising floodwaters. The extreme weather delivered the wettest day in twenty years to parts of the Catalan region, triggering widespread travel disruptions and overflowing riverbanks, nos.nl reported.
Fatalities and Rescue Operations in Catalonia
In the Catalan locality of Tordera, situated west of Lloret de Mar, a 65-year-old man died when a campsite wall collapsed under the weight of water. A second fatality occurred in Montornès del Vallès, though local authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim or the specific circumstances of the death. North of Barcelona in Granollers, firefighters deployed to rescue motorists who became trapped in their vehicles during the overnight deluge. Precipitation in Granollers reached nearly 248 millimeters by the morning of October 4, 2026.
Floodwaters Hit Bilbao and Kill Woman in Madrigueras
Northern Spain also experienced severe disruptions, with parts of the old town in Bilbao, located in the Basque Country, facing knee-high floodwaters. These conditions follow a separate fatal incident on October 3, 2026, in Madrigueras in southeastern Spain, where a 102-year-old woman died after floodwaters reached a depth of one meter inside her home. Footage from Madrigueras showed local streets transformed into rushing rivers, prompting Prime Minister Sánchez to express his condolences to the victim's family.
Heavy Rain Suspends Rail Services and Closes Roads
The heavy downpours generated thousands of calls to emergency services overnight, primarily concerning downed trees and flooded residences. Rail services on several routes remain suspended, and multiple roadways are closed due to the accumulation of water. The Catalan government urged residents to exercise maximum caution until the afternoon of October 4, 2026, specifically directing warnings to households located along the Besós River, which showed water levels rising to the height of a nearby railway bridge.