At least 51 people are confirmed dead after flash floods struck parts of Spain.

Torrential rains flooded roads and towns in southeastern Spain on Tuesday – with videos showing cars being swept through streets, a train being derailed and damaged houses and buildings.

Authorities in the worst-hit areas had advised people to stay at home and avoid all non-essential travel.

Emergency services have now confirmed that at least 51 people have died.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said officials are “monitoring the situation” and are ready to provide consular assistance to anyone who needs it.

The Department is advising Irish people in Spain to follow the advice of local authorities – and to contact the Irish Embassy in Madrid if they need assistance.

Emergency services help in the rescue work in Letur, Albacete, Spain, 29-10-2024. Image: AP/Alamy

In Letur, near the Sierra de Segura, 30 people were trapped after the river running through the town burst its banks.

Dozens of videos shared on social media appeared to show people trapped in floodwaters, with some hanging on to trees to avoid being swept away.

Authorities used helicopters to rescue some residents from their homes.

Other videos shared by Spanish broadcasters showed floodwater rising into the lower levels of homes and carrying cars through the street.

Radio and TV stations received hundreds of calls for help from people trapped in flooded areas or searching for loved ones, with emergency services unable to reach all affected locations.

'Trapped like rats'

Over 1,000 soldiers from Spain's emergency response units have been deployed to the devastated areas.

"Yesterday was the worst day of my life," Ricardo Gabaldón, the mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE.

He said several people were still missing in his town.

“We were trapped like rats," he said.

“Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to three meters.”

'Mayhem'

Vitalij Farafonov and his wife were visiting Valencia on a yoga retreat when police diverted them from a motorway at around 8pm last night.

“It was mayhem as we counted nine or 10 overturned lorries on a half-mile stretch of the motorway,” he said.

“We've never seen anything like it.”

Cars are swept away by floods in the town of Alora, Malaga, Spain, 29-10-2024. Image: AP/Alamy

Meanwhile, a high-speed train with almost 300 people on board was derailed near Malaga, but authorities said no one was hurt.

Storms are forecast to continue until Thursday, according to the country's weather service.

Spain has experienced similar autumn storms in recent years.

Scientists have warned that increased episodes of extreme weather, like flash floods, or the wildfires seen elsewhere in Europe in the summer, are likely linked to human-driven climate change.

Meteorologists believe the warming of the Mediterranean, which increases water evaporation, plays a key role in making torrential rains more severe.

Irish citizens who require consular assistance are advised to contact the Irish Embassy in Madrid on +34 914364093.

With reporting from Michael Staines and IRN.