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Tragedy struck Catalonia over the weekend when a father and his 10-year-old son were swept away by flash floods caused by torrential rain. The boy’s body was found on Sunday September 21 in the Bitlles River near Sant Pere de Riudebitlles, and after a desperate search, rescue teams recovered the father’s body the following day near Sant Quintí de Mediona.

 

Their car was caught in the rising floodwaters of the Mediona stream while travelling towards the Monterrey housing estate. What is normally a dry or shallow stream swelled to over three metres deep due to intense overnight rain, sweeping the vehicle along with them. Locals described the area as a usually harmless crossing, but the storm transformed it into a deadly trap.

 

The rescue operation covered a 17-kilometre stretch of river, with teams combing the landscape using underwater divers, drones, dogs, helicopters, and forest rangers. Despite the extensive efforts, the bodies were only found after the waters receded and the difficult terrain became accessible.

 

President Salvador Illa expressed deep condolences, saying: "Unfortunately, rescue teams have found the lifeless body of the second person missing due to the rain in Catalonia," and urged everyone to exercise caution amid ongoing bad weather.

 

The floods caused widespread chaos across the region, with flights cancelled and trains abandoned due to fallen trees on the tracks. Emergency services responded to nearly 670 calls on Sunday alone, dealing with floods, landslides, stranded cars, fallen walls, trees, and rescues of people trapped in various locations.

 

Around 27 people were rescued from a funicular trapped by a landslide near Montserrat Monastery. Officials warn further heavy rain may be on its way, urging residents and visitors to remain vigilant.

 

 

Image: Bomberos de la Generalitat