Emergency services are continuing search and rescue operations after floods hit southern and eastern Spain.

At least 51 people have died in floods that swept through Spain’s eastern Valencia region after torrential rains, local authorities said.

Strong storms on Tuesday triggered flooding in parts of southern and eastern Spain. Images shared on social media showed vehicles being swept along streets by mud-colored water.

More than 1,000 soldiers from Spain’s emergency response units have been deployed to the affected areas. Spain’s central government has set up a crisis committee to help coordinate rescue efforts.

Valencia’s emergency services urged citizens to avoid any kind of road travel and to follow further updates from official sources.

“The provisional death toll is 51 people,” Valencia’s emergency services wrote on Wednesday on X, adding that the bodies were still being recovered and identified.

Carlos Mazon, the regional leader of Valencia, told a press conference that some people remained isolated in inaccessible places.

“If (emergency services) didn’t arrive, it’s not because of a lack of means or predisposition, but because of an access problem,” Mazon said, adding that reaching certain areas was “absolutely impossible.”

Ricardo Gabaldon, the mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE that “yesterday was the worst day of my life”. Several people were still missing in his town.

“We were caught like rats. Cars and garbage containers flowed through the streets. The water rose to three meters,” he said.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the government “will not abandon” those affected by the floods.

“All of Spain is crying with you all. Our absolute priority is to help you… We will not abandon you,” he said in a televised address.

King Felipe VI said he was “devastated” by the loss of life and thanked emergency services for their response. The monarchy also offered “heartfelt condolences” to the families of the victims.

Images shared on social media showed firefighters rescuing stranded drivers amid heavy rain in the city of Alzira and cars stuck in flooded streets.

The national weather service AEMET reported heavy rain, hail and strong wind gusts. A severe weather warning remains in place for large parts of the country.

The weather service said the situation in Spain would not return to calm until Thursday.

Trains to the cities of Madrid and Barcelona were canceled due to the flooding, and schools and other essential services were suspended in the worst-hit areas.

Spain’s state railway Renfe said a high-speed train with 291 passengers on board traveling from Malaga to Madrid derailed shortly after departure due to a landslide. No injuries were reported.

Lower House Speaker Francina Armengol said Wednesday’s parliamentary session would be suspended due to the disaster.

Scientists have warned that heavy rainfall has become more frequent and intense worldwide, largely due to climate change. Human activities such as urban development, deforestation and inadequate infrastructure are also known to increase flood risks.