Lorraine Williamson
The body of a woman swept away by floodwater near Barcelona has been found at sea following an overnight search involving firefighters, police and maritime rescue teams. The 35-year-old, from Malgrat de Mar, disappeared on Saturday evening when a swollen stream in Cabrera de Mar carried her away during torrential rainfall.
Emergency teams located the woman’s body on Sunday near the harbour at Premià de Mar, where it was found floating close to a breakwater. The discovery brought an end to a search that had continued throughout the night after the woman disappeared at approximately 7.40 pm on Saturday.
The woman had been leaving a children’s basketball match with her family when she attempted to cross a flooded watercourse in Cabrera de Mar. Around 60 litres of rain per square metre had fallen in a short period, causing the stream to rise rapidly.
Search ends with discovery near Premià de Mar
Firefighters, Mossos d’Esquadra, local police and maritime rescue teams had been searching the watercourse and nearby coastline since Saturday evening. Earlier on Sunday, rescuers recovered a handbag and an item of clothing believed to belong to the missing woman near the mouth of the stream.
The mayor of Cabrera de Mar, Òscar Fernández, has expressed his condolences following the discovery. Emergency officials have also stressed the dangers of crossing flooded watercourses, where conditions can become life-threatening within minutes.
People rescued from cars and flooded homes
Intense storms have caused flooding across several parts of Catalonia, particularly in the Maresme, Vallès Oriental, Baix Llobregat, and Garraf districts.
In Sentmenat, firefighters rescued two elderly people who had become trapped inside a vehicle surrounded by floodwater. Other motorists required assistance after their vehicles became stranded on flooded roads.
In the Baix Llobregat area, emergency teams rescued occupants of vehicles trapped on the A-2 near Abrera and Martorell. Seven people were also helped from flooded homes in Martorell, while an elderly woman and a pregnant woman were rescued from properties in Sant Esteve Sesrovires.
Catalonia’s 112 emergency service had received 367 calls relating to the storms by 7.00 am on Sunday, resulting in 286 incidents being handled. Barcelona, Vilassar de Mar and Sant Esteve Sesrovires were among the municipalities generating the most calls.
Roads flooded, and transport disrupted
Floodwater affected several roads during Saturday evening, including the N-2 coastal route through the Maresme district. In Vilassar de Mar, the force of the water swept vehicles along flooded streets, with local residents helping occupants escape.
Rail services were also disrupted as authorities took precautionary measures ahead of the heaviest rainfall. Renfe suspended the R2 Sud and southern regional services from 10.00 pm on Saturday because of the risk of flooding in Baix Llobregat and Garraf.
Services began operating again on Sunday morning after the overnight suspension. Passengers are nevertheless advised to check the latest Rodalies information before travelling, as further disruption remains possible while the weather system affects the region.
Rainfall warnings remain in parts of Catalonia
Catalonia’s meteorological service, Meteocat, issued red rainfall warnings for seven districts on Saturday as exceptionally intense storms moved across the region.
Those red warnings were downgraded overnight, with orange warnings remaining in parts of Baix Llobregat, Garraf, Baix Penedès and Tarragonès on Sunday morning. Although the rainfall has eased in some northern areas, heavy showers remain possible further south.
The storms are part of the wider DANA Adam weather episode affecting Mediterranean Spain. Red rainfall warnings have also been issued for parts of Valencia and Alicante, where AEMET has warned of potentially dangerous rainfall accumulations during Sunday and Monday.
Authorities warn against crossing flooded areas
Civil Protection authorities have repeatedly warned that streets, streams and normally dry watercourses can become dangerous within minutes during intense rainfall.
Residents and visitors are being urged not to cross flooded roads, either on foot or in vehicles, and to avoid riverbeds, underpasses and areas where water can accumulate rapidly. Emergency mobile alerts should be followed, even if conditions appear calm at the time they are received.
In Cabrera de Mar, the local council has activated its municipal emergency arrangements while the search continues. Anyone in an affected area should follow instructions from emergency services and call 112 if immediate assistance is required.