Popular tourist destinations in Spain are reeling from a bout of devastating severe weather that has brought fatal flooding, tornadoes, and travel chaos to coastal regions.
Chaos and Tragedy in Southern Spain
Over the weekend, the province of Malaga was plunged into crisis as heavy rain caused a riverbed to overflow. The resulting chaos claimed the lives of two men, with a third person reported missing. Authorities issued red weather alerts for 'extreme danger' across 27 municipalities, with areas like the Sol and Guadalhorce valleys among the worst hit. Residents and tourists were urged to stay indoors.
Further along the coast, the resort of Mazarron in the Murcia region was struck by a twister. The tornado damaged several boats and caused significant destruction to bar and restaurant terraces. Meanwhile, in Andalusia, emergency services battled a combination of floods, cars trapped in snow, and landslides blocking key roads.
Travel Impact and Recovery Efforts
The extreme conditions caused major travel disruption. During the worst of the weather, more than 20 flights destined for Malaga Airport were diverted to other cities including Seville, Almeria, and Granada. While red and orange warnings have now been lifted, the popular areas are working to recuperate, clearing mud from roads and pumping water from buildings.
For UK travellers, the situation requires careful monitoring. The UK's Foreign Office has not issued specific travel warnings about the floods in Spain. Its general advice highlights the risks of flash flooding and recommends checking forecasts from Spain's state weather agency, AEMET, and heeding local authority guidance.
What This Means for Holidaymakers
Because the Government has not advised against travel to Spain, holidaymakers looking to cancel their trips will not be automatically entitled to a refund under special circumstances, though individual booking terms vary. Passengers whose flights were cancelled are protected by EU Denied Boarding Regulations, which may entitle them to a refund, alternative travel, or compensation.
Malaga Airport has reported no further disruption. The clear advice for anyone in or travelling to affected regions is to avoid unnecessary journeys, stay informed via official sources, and move to higher ground if in a flood-prone area.
