Emergency crews in Olivella, a town in the Garraf area near Barcelona, recovered the body of a man whose car was destroyed and swept away by floodwaters overnight. The victim was found in a stream about 500 meters from where the water had carried his vehicle and left it in pieces. RTVE and La Vanguardia reported that the Mossos d’Esquadra confirmed the man was the driver and was found some distance from the wrecked car.
The incident happened as the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) issued a red alert for torrential rain along the Barcelona coast. Rainfall topped 90 liters per square meter in less than an hour, causing flash floods and sudden surges in local streams. Authorities warned residents to avoid travel and follow official instructions, including calling emergency services if needed. Olivella’s municipal authorities had already published an INUNCAT warning for intense rain and possible flooding for September 16 and 17, so the risk was known in advance.
At 23:06, Protecció Civil sent an Es-Alert emergency notification to residents' phones in Garraf and neighboring counties, warning of heavy rain and flash flood risk until 01:00.
At 23:03, a witness called emergency services after seeing a car plunge into the swollen stream. The response was immediate: eleven units from the Bombers de la Generalitat were sent to the scene, with underwater support from the GRAESub group and drones. Early reports suggested a woman might have disappeared after trying to escape the car, information from Joan Ramon Cabello, deputy director of Civil Protection for the Generalitat, speaking on TV3. Later, the search focused on the area around the destroyed car and the watercourse. ARA and other sources reported that the search was for a male driver, not a missing woman.
After hours of searching, rescue teams found the man’s body, and the Mossos d’Esquadra later confirmed he was the driver. His identity was not released. The car was found completely wrecked, showing the force of the floodwaters that hit the region overnight. The operation involved 11 specialized units, including underwater and drone support, La Vanguardia reported.
The Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya also issued its highest-level warning for violent weather, rating the risk at 6 out of 6 for the evening and night in the affected counties. The basic threat was sudden flooding, especially in streams and areas near water. So far, no other deaths or missing persons have been reported from the storm.
The incident in Olivella coincided with a broader deterioration in weather across eastern Spain, where AEMET had warned of severe rainfall and the danger of sudden flooding. Regional meteorological services classified the threat as extreme, beyond a typical local storm.
Barcelona and nearby areas faced major transport problems, with road closures near the Llobregat river and disruptions on the rail network. Residents were told to limit travel and avoid places where water could collect. The alert system sent messages urging caution and close attention to safety instructions.
The fatal incident in Olivella shows how vulnerable Catalonia’s infrastructure and communities are to extreme weather. As episodes of intense rainfall become more common, local authorities face growing pressure to respond quickly and coordinate rescue efforts. The events in Garraf underline the need for emergency preparedness and public awareness, as meteorological agencies continue to warn of extraordinary risks in the region.
