Spain floods: Taoiseach expresses 'horror and sorrow' as country hit by its worst natural disaster in generations

Taoiseach Simon Harris was in contact with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday evening to express Ireland's “horror and sorrow” at the number of people who have lost their lives.

Spain has been hit by its worst natural disaster in generations after torrential rain caused deadly flash floods and mudslides in the south and east of the country.

Cars were left piled on top of one another, trees were uprooted and power lines were downed as the floods swept through the regions of Murcia, Andalusia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands.

At least seven people have died and three are missing after the heavy downpours on Wednesday, which also caused widespread damage to homes and businesses.

Taoiseach Simon Harris was in contact with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday evening to express Ireland’s “horror and sorrow” at the number of people who have lost their lives.

Mr Harris said the emerging stories of loss and injury are heartbreaking and said Ireland would “help in every way we can”.

Mr Sanchez thanked the people of Ireland for their solidarity and kindness.

Ireland’s deputy premier Micheal Martin said this week that the floods were “illustrative of the worsening climate situation”.

He said: “I think it points to the need for stronger adaptation across Europe, within Ireland as well, given the impacts that climate change is now having.

“The indications are that climate change is here, it’s happening, so we’ve got to adapt.”

An analysis by World Weather Attribution has found that the rainfall was about 12% heavier and twice as likely compared with the 1.3-degree cooler pre-industrial climate.

The scientists said that while analysis is not a full and detailed attribution study, climate change is the most likely explanation.