At least two people have died and another remains missing after torrential rain triggered severe flooding across Catalonia.
The extreme weather inundated homes and hospitals, cutting power to thousands and bringing parts of the transport network to a standstill.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the situation on Sunday morning as ‘very complex’, particularly in the province of Barcelona.
‘My solidarity and affection go to their families and friends,’ he wrote on X after the two deaths were confirmed.
Sanchez thanked emergency workers attempting to protect the public and urged residents to avoid unnecessary journeys and follow instructions issued through official channels.
One of the victims died at the Caravaning Internacional Costa Brava site in Tordera.
The man, reportedly aged 75, was striking a wall when it gave way and fell on top of him. Firefighters received the alert at 8.11am.
The site is understood to be a private club for owners of mobile homes rather than a traditional licensed campsite.
A second man was found dead inside a completely flooded garage in Montornes del Valles.
His family had reported him missing before firefighters discovered his body while pumping water from the building. Four crews were involved in the operation.
Emergency teams are also searching for at least one missing person believed to have fallen into a swollen stream in Pineda de Mar.
Firefighters and Salvamento Maritimo have deployed personnel and helicopters near the point where the waterway flows into the sea.
Flooding forced patients to be evacuated from the ground floor of Hospital Comarcal de la Selva in Blanes.
Numerous streets were also closed in Blanes and towns across Baix Emporda, including Platja d’Aro, s’Agaro and Sant Feliu de Guixols.
Firefighters had responded to around 1,400 incidents by 9.45am on Sunday, including rescues of people trapped in vehicles around a flooded roundabout in Granollers.
Some motorists were forced to climb onto the roofs of their cars as water levels rose rapidly.
More than 17,600 customers were without electricity across Barcelona and its metropolitan area on Sunday morning following approximately 220 incidents affecting the network.
Barcelona city was the worst affected, with more than 4,200 customers losing power, followed by Badalona with around 3,000 and Santa Coloma de Gramenet with more than 1,100.
The emergency line received thousands of calls during the night as rivers and streams rose rapidly.
The Besos reached a reported peak flow of more than 900 cubic metres per second, prompting authorities to issue an ES-Alert to residents of Montcada i Reixac, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Sant Adria de Besos and Barcelona.
Access to the Besos river park remained closed because of the continuing flood risk.
The storm caused widespread disruption to rail, air and road travel.
Most Rodalies commuter and regional train services were suspended, while high-speed services between Tarragona and the French border were also disrupted.
Several roads remained closed because of flooding or landslides, while travellers using Barcelona-El Prat Airport were urged to check the status of their flights before setting out.
Flights were cancelled or delayed during the storm, with some passengers reportedly facing waits of several hours.
The Catalan government lifted emergency mobility restrictions in 12 comarcas late on Sunday morning.
These were Alt Penedes, Baix Penedes, Baix Llobregat, Barcelones, Garraf, Valles Occidental, Alt Camp, Baix Camp, Tarragones, Ripolles, Osona and Moianes.
However, restrictions remained in force until at least 2pm in Alt Emporda, Baix Emporda, Garrotxa, Girones, Maresme, Pla de l’Estany, Selva and Valles Oriental.
Interior minister Nuria Parlon warned that residents in areas where the measures had been lifted must continue to travel with caution.
She urged people not to approach rivers and streams or enter underground car parks and basements.
Catalan president Salvador Illa said the weather emergency was not over and called on the public not to lower their guard as the most intense rainfall shifted towards Girona.
