At least 72 people have lost their lives due to flash floods that swept through Spain’s eastern region of Valencia following heavy rainfall, authorities reported.

Severe storms on Tuesday caused floods across southern and eastern Spain. Social media footage depicted vehicles being carried away by the muddy waters.

In response, over 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units were deployed to the affected areas, and the central government established a crisis committee to coordinate rescue operations.

Emergency services in Valencia urged residents to refrain from road travel and to stay updated through official channels.

By Wednesday, emergency services in Valencia confirmed a death toll of 70, with an additional two fatalities reported in the nearby Castilla La Mancha region.

Carlos Mazon, the regional leader of Valencia, stated in a news conference that some individuals remained stranded in areas that were difficult to access.