Woman dead, husband missing as violent storm lashes southern Spain

Flash floods in southern Spain prompt officials to evacuate hundreds of homes

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A van being swept away by the current of the Campanillas river in Almogia, Malaga province, Spain. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 4:12am, 19 Mar 2025Updated: 9:57am, 19 Mar 2025

A woman died and her husband remained missing on Tuesday after a swollen stream swept away their car during a violent storm in southern Spain, officials said.

The couple disappeared in the village of Constantina “when they were passing one of the streams, the vehicle overturned and the current swept it away”, said Juanma Moreno, leader of the southern Andalusia region.

A body found earlier was confirmed to be of the woman, police said, adding that rescuers were continuing the search for the husband.

Regional officials ordered the evacuation of 365 homes in the village of Campanillas near Malaga city late on Monday after a nearby river burst its banks. The evacuees spent the night in a municipal sports hall.

A dog being rescued from the floodwaters. Photo: EPA-EFE

Andalusia’s interior chief Antonio Sanz said that 19 rivers in Andalusia were on red alert for flooding on Tuesday, as bad weather spread from Malaga on the southern coast to landlocked areas near Seville and Cordoba. A total of 40 highways across Andalusia as well as some rail lines had to be closed due to rising waters.