Spain floods: At least 95 people killed including British man near Malaga

Published

1 year ago

October 31, 2024

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The number of people killed in floods in Spain has risen to at least 95, with a British man now confirmed among the dead.

Cars were swept through streets and numerous buildings damaged as some places reportedly got half a year’s rain in a matter of hours.

Ninety-two people were killed in the eastern Valencia region and two in the central Castilla La Mancha area.

Meanwhile, a 71-year-old British man died in hospital after being rescued from his home in Alhaurin de la Torre, near the southern city of Malaga.

He was suffering hypothermia and died after several cardiac arrests, said the president of the Andalucia government.

Follow latest: People ‘trapped like rats’ – with towns under water

Authorities in the worst-hit areas – in Spain‘s east and south – had advised people to stay at home and avoid all non-essential travel.

Valencia’s regional authorities said early on Wednesday evening that the number of dead had risen to at least 92. The fatalities include children.

Authorities in Castilla La Mancha said the two people killed there included an 88-year-old woman found dead in the city of Cuenca.

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

The local mayor, Sergio Marin Sanchez, said six people in the region were missing.

Dozens of videos on social media appeared to show people trapped in floodwater, several of them hanging on to trees to avoid being swept away.

Helicopters were used to rescue some people from their homes.

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

Read more on Spain’s weather:
The ‘DANA’ weather system behind Spain’s extreme rainfall

PM warns of more storms

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a news conference that “we are united and we will rebuild your streets and your squares and bridges”, telling those affected: “Spain will be with you.”

He said the government’s crisis committee would work “hand in hand” with local authorities and town mayors for “24 hours a day, as long as the emergency goes on”.

However, he cautioned that the “devastating event” may not be over, as forecasters predict further storms into Thursday.

‘Trapped like rats’

Radio and TV stations received hundreds of calls for help from people trapped or searching for loved ones, as emergency services were unable to reach all locations.

More than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units have been deployed to help.

“Yesterday was the worst day of my life,” Ricardo Gabaldon, 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,” Mr Gabaldon said. “Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to three metres.”

While the rain subsided in Valencia by late Wednesday morning, storms were forecast to continue on Thursday, according to Spain’s national weather service.

‘It was mayhem’

A British couple told Sky News they had been stuck in their car for almost 10 hours.

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

He said: “It was mayhem as we counted nine or 10 overturned lorries on a half mile stretch of the motorway.

“We’ve never seen anything like it.”

Mr Farafonov said he and his wife were stuck “on a random rural road in between what were beautiful orange groves”.

“We can finally see flashing blue lights so people do know where we are,” he added. “As I say, we are the lucky ones.”

The couple, who are originally from the Midlands but now live in Luxembourg, have four children who are safe in Barcelona with relatives.

‘Half a year’s rain’

Jon Clarke, editor of news outlet The Olive Press, told Sky News from one of the worst affected areas in Malaga that he expected more deaths to be announced.

He said the storms were “the worst natural disaster at least for 50 years”.

Mr Clarke said some areas in the Valencia region were hit by “half a year’s rain” in six to seven hours.

Transport was also severely affected, with a high-speed train with almost 300 people on board derailed near Malaga. Authorities said no one was hurt.

Rail lines elsewhere were also disrupted.

Spain’s transport ministry announced just before 11am that the high-speed train between Valencia and Madrid would be suspended throughout Wednesday.

‘Titanic work’

Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia said they were “devastated” by the deadly floods.

“Our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the more than 50 deceased,” they said in a statement.

“Strength, courage and all the necessary support for all those affected.

“Our warmest message and recognition to local and regional authorities and all emergency services, armed forces and state security forces and corps for the titanic work they have been doing from the very beginning.”

Football matches involving Valencia and Levante, who are both based in the city, have been postponed.

Both teams were due to play in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night. Other midweek games could also be cancelled, along with Saturday’s league match between Valencia and Madrid.

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.

UK

Home secretary vows to end UK’s ‘golden ticket’ for asylum seekers – as Denmark-based reforms to be unveiled

Published

2 hours ago

November 16, 2025

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Home secretary vows to end UK's 'golden ticket' for asylum seekers - as Denmark-based reforms to be unveiled

The home secretary is set to unveil sweeping measures to tackle illegal migration, vowing to end the UK’s ‘golden ticket’ for asylum seekers.

People granted asylum in the UK will only be allowed to stay in the country temporarily, in the changes expected to be unveiled on Monday by Shabana Mahmood.

Modelled on the Danish system, the aim is to make the UK less attractive for illegal immigrants and make it easier to deport them.

Planned changes mean that refugee status will become temporary and subject to regular review, with refugees removed as soon as their home countries are deemed safe.

The Home Office said the “golden ticket” deal has seen asylum claims surge in the UK, drawing people across Europe, through safe countries, onto dangerous small boats.

Under current UK rules, those granted refugee status have it for five years and can then apply for indefinite leave to remain and get on a route to citizenship.

As part of the changes, the statutory legal duty to provide asylum seeker support, including housing and weekly allowances, will be revoked.

The government will seek to remove asylum support, including accommodation and handouts, to those who have a right to work and who can support themselves but choose not to or those who break UK law.

‘Last chance for a decent politics’

A government source said Ms Mahmood believes her reforms are about “more than the electoral fortunes of her party”.

“This is the last chance for a decent, mainstream politics. If these moderate forces fail, she believes, something darker will follow,” they said.

“But this demands that moderates are willing to do things that will seem immoderate to some. She has reminded those who are reluctant to embrace her ambition for bold reform, with an ultimatum: ‘if you don’t like this, you won’t like what follows me.'”

Ms Mahmood said they were the most sweeping changes to the asylum system “in a generation”, as she vowed the government will “restore order and control to our borders”.

The home secretary also told The Sunday Times that “I can see – and I know my colleagues can – that illegal migration is tearing our country apart”.

System being ‘gamed’

The source said Ms Mahmood believes the system is being “gamed by those travelling on boats or abusing legal visas”.

Some 39,075 people have arrived in the UK after making the journey across the Channel so far this year, according to the latest Home Office figures.

That is an increase of 19% on the same point in 2024 and up 43% on 2023, but remains 5% lower than at the equivalent point in 2022, which remains the peak year for crossings.

What happened in Denmark?

The UK government points to Denmark remaining a signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights, while also cutting the number of asylum applications to the lowest number in 40 years and successfully removing 95% of rejected asylum seekers.

What are Denmark’s migration rules?

Denmark has adopted increasingly restrictive rules in order to deal with migration over the last few years.

In Denmark, most asylum or refugee statuses are temporary. Residency can be revoked once a country is deemed safe.

In order to achieve settlement, asylum seekers are required to be in full-time employment, and the length of time it takes to acquire those rights has been extended.

Denmark also has tougher rules on family reunification – both the sponsor and their partner are required to be at least 24 years old, which the Danish government says is designed to prevent forced marriages.

The sponsor must also not have claimed welfare for three years and must provide a financial guarantee for their partner. Both must also pass a Danish language test.

In 2018, Denmark introduced what it called a ghetto package, a controversial plan to radically alter some residential areas, including by demolishing social housing. Areas with over 1,000 residents were defined as ghettos if more than 50% were “immigrants and their descendants from non-Western countries”.

In 2021, the left of centre government passed a law that allowed refugees arriving on Danish soil to be moved to asylum centres in a partner country – and subsequently agreed with Rwanda to explore setting up a program, although that has been put on hold.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the Labour government has “lost control” of the UK’s borders” with illegal channel crossings “surging to over 62,000 since the election”.

He said some of the new measures were welcome but “they stop well short of what is really required and some are just yet more gimmicks – like the previous ‘smash the gangs’ gimmick”.

Mr Philp added: “Only the Conservative borders plan will end illegal immigration – by leaving the ECHR, banning asylum claims for illegal immigrants, deporting all illegal arrivals within a week and establishing a Removals Force to deport 150,000 illegal immigrants each year.”

And Enver Solomon, chief executive of Refugee Council, said: “These sweeping changes will not deter people from making dangerous crossings, but they will unfairly prevent men, women and children from putting down roots and integrating into British life.”

Ms Mahmood will be appearing on Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips from 8.30am on Sunday.

UK

Rail worker who protected passengers during mass stabbing on Huntingdon train discharged from hospital

Published

8 hours ago

November 15, 2025

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Rail worker who protected passengers during mass stabbing on Huntingdon train discharged from hospital

The train crew member who was seriously injured while trying to protect passengers during a mass stabbing has been discharged from hospital.

Samir Zitouni, 48, known as Sam, was working on board the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) train from Doncaster to London when the attack began in Cambridgeshire on Saturday 1 November.

LNER said Mr Zitouni, who has worked for the firm for more than 20 years, was credited with helping to save multiple lives.

Mr Zitouni had been in a critical condition, having suffered multiple injuries in the incident, but was discharged on Saturday.

His family said: “We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from the public, and very touched by all the kind words about Sam’s brave actions on the night of the attack.

“While we are really happy to have him home, he still has a significant recovery ahead and we would now like to be left in privacy to care for him as a family.”

Earlier this month, LNER said he has been a “valued member” of staff for over 20 years, working on board as a customer experience host.

David Horne, managing director at LNER, said: “In a moment of crisis, Sam did not hesitate as he stepped forward to protect those around him.

“His actions were incredibly brave, and we are so proud of him, and of all our colleagues who acted with such courage that evening. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Sam and his family. We will continue to support them and wish him a full and speedy recovery.”

The attack is understood to have started shortly after the train left Peterborough, with passengers pulling the emergency alarms on the LNER service.

Train driver Andrew Johnson, who served in the Royal Navy for 17 years, contacted a signaller and requested an unscheduled stop at Huntingdon station.

11 people were treated in hospital after the mass stabbing – nine were initially reported as having life-threatening injuries.

Anthony Williams, 32, was remanded into custody at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on November 3, charged with 10 counts of attempted murder over the incident.

He will appear at Cambridge Crown Court on 1 December.

UK

Donald Trump confirms he will sue the BBC over Panorama edit – despite broadcaster’s apology

Published

1 day ago

November 15, 2025

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Donald Trump confirms he will sue the BBC over Panorama edit - despite broadcaster's apology

Donald Trump has said he will sue the BBC for between $1bn and $5bn over the editing of his speech on Panorama.

The US president confirmed he would be taking legal action against the broadcaster while on Air Force One overnight on Saturday.

“We’ll sue them. We’ll sue them for anywhere between a billion (£792m) and five billion dollars (£3.79bn), probably sometime next week,” he told reporters.

“We have to do it, they’ve even admitted that they cheated. Not that they couldn’t have not done that. They cheated. They changed the words coming out of my mouth.”

Mr Trump then told reporters he would discuss the matter with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over the weekend, and claimed “the people of the UK are very angry about what happened… because it shows the BBC is fake news”.

The Daily Telegraph reported earlier this month that an internal memo raised concerns about the BBC’s editing of a speech made by Mr Trump on 6 January 2021, just before a mob rioted at the US Capitol building, on its flagship late-night news programme.

The concerns regard clips spliced together from sections of the president’s speech to make it appear he told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to “fight like hell” in the documentary Trump: A Second Chance?, which was broadcast by the BBC the week before last year’s US election.

Following a backlash, both BBC director-general Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness resigned from their roles.

‘No basis for defamation claim’

On Thursday, the broadcaster officially apologised to the president and added that it was an “error of judgement” and the programme will “not be broadcast again in this form on any BBC platforms”.

A spokesperson said that “the BBC sincerely regrets the manner in which the video clip was edited,” but they also added that “we strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim”.

Earlier this week, Mr Trump’s lawyers threatened to sue the BBC for $1bn unless it apologised, retracted the clip, and compensated him.

Legal challenges

But legal experts have said that Mr Trump would face challenges taking the case to court in the UK or the US.

The deadline to bring the case to UK courts, where defamation damages rarely exceed £100,000 ($132,000), has already expired because the documentary aired in October 2024, which is more than one year.

Also because the documentary was not shown in the US, it would be hard to show that Americans thought less of the president because of a programme they could not watch.

Newsnight allegations

The BBC has said it was looking into fresh allegations, published in The Telegraph, that its Newsnight show also selectively edited footage of the same speech in a report broadcast in June 2022.

A BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC holds itself to the highest editorial standards. This matter has been brought to our attention and we are now looking into it.”

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