'Do not travel unless strictly necessary': Chaos at Barcelona airport as terminal and runway flooded

07.11.2024 - 00:51 / euronews.com / Ruth Wright

Catastrophic flooding continues in Spain, with Barcelona airport and the surroundings the latest area to be affected.

Videos have been shared on social media of water pouring into a terminal at Barcelona El Prat airport.

So far 70 flights have been cancelled and 17 have been diverted to other airports after the rain started this morning.

Spain's national weather agency AEMET has issued a red warning for Barcelona, stating "extreme danger due to torrential rain".

They have advised that people "must not travel unless strictly necessary".

Parents have been told not to travel to pick up their children from school, with authorities saying schools are "safe places" to leave their children.

Barcelona is the latest part of Spain to be hit by extreme weather, with recovery and clean-up ongoing around Valencia where the death toll is now over 200.

Barcelona airport operator Aena has said the airport has set up a 'crisis committee' to deal with the impacts of the heavy rain.

Water has been seen pouring through the airport's ceiling into the terminal, along with flooding on one of the runways.

The airport's website currently shows most upcoming departures as either cancelled or delayed by at least one hour. The airport reports 70 flights have been cancelled so far.

Arrivals are also delayed or cancelled, with the situation looking the same into this evening.

Even if your flight is scheduled to depart or land, you may have difficulties reaching the airport with reports of flooding to roads leading to the airport and public transport services affected.

All passengers are advised to check with their airline for the status of their flight.

Vueling, the airline which operates the most flights in and out of El Prat, has said it has opened more check-in counters for affected passengers.

High speed trains between Barcelona and Tarragona have been suspended due to flooding in a tunnel used by the service. Train companies Renfe, Ouigo and Iryo use this line.

Catalonia's Rodalies has also been suspended.

In regards to Barcelona's Metro, trains are not stopping at Rambla Just Oliveras station (L1) in the direction of Fondo, nor on the platform of Liceu (L3) in the direction of Zona Universitaria, while circulation is also suspended on the L9 Sud, between Parc Nou and Aeroport T1.

Many other Metro stations are also closed.

Barcelona's Cable Car, Funicular and the city's Tourist Bus have also stopped running.

Travel insurance is designed to cover unforeseen events, such as emergency medical expenses, lost or stolen belongings and last-minute cancellations.

In some cases, you can be reimbursed if your trip is cancelled due to extreme weather - but certain conditions usually apply.

Check your policy for a list of covered reasons for trip