Torrential rain leaves 17 injured

Torrential rain in Catalonia between Sunday and Monday left 17 people injured, five of whom are in a serious condition in hospital.

Storms also caused some rivers to overflow and provoked minor floods in towns in Northern Catalonia near the Ter and Congost rivers, such as Ribes de Freser, Sant Quirze de Besora, Sant Joan de les Abadesses and Ripoll.

The Catalan government has also issued warnings for the Foix, Fluvià, Tordera and Cardener rivers, as well as streams in the Tarragonès and Baix Penedès regions.

The rain also left a dozen roads cut off, including major highways, such as the C-17, the C-35 and the C-38 main roads.

Emergency services received 1,276 calls reporting incidents related to the rain and the heavy winds, such as minor floodings, fallen trees and trapped vehicles.

The Catalan government activated the Ferrocat preventive emergency alert, as two train lines were cut off due to fallen frees between Maçanet and Blanes, and between Llinars and Sant Celoni.