Survivors ‘swam for their lives’ Warning of more rain to come

the capital Palma, including a 71-yearold man trapped in the basement of his home and an 83-year-old van driver.

The British couple died in the resort of S’illot. The taxi driver is also feared dead.

Rescuers were last night still hunting for the brother of a five-year-old boy who was pulled from a car.

People sought refuge on their roofs and in trees as a 3ft wall of water swept cars out to sea after eight inches of rain fell in just four hours.

Locals told how they had to swim for their lives after water smashed into their homes, while others watched helplessly as cars with

DESCRIBING SCENES OF TERROR

people still inside were washed away. One survivor said: “We were at home when the river burst its banks and began to take the cars away. The water was coming through the windows and doors.”

Another said: “The water reached about 13ft at one point and was piling cars up on top of each other. I had to swim to survive. I have seen cars go past me with people inside.”

Manuel Torrescusa, told how he swam through his car window to safety. He said: “I swam 500m [1,640ft] through the torrent until I got to a house.”

Spain’s PM Pedro Sanchez visited the scene yesterday and declared three days of national mourning. About 100 people spent the night in a temporary shelter.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed: “We are supporting the family of two British people following their deaths in Spain and will do all we can to assist them at this deeply difficult time.”

Weather forecasters raised the threat level for the east of Majorca to red – with 11in of rain forecast in the next 12 hours.