"It seemed like the end of the world": Severe storms in Spain!

Madrid - Severe storms with heavy rainfall are causing chaos and fear in large parts of Spain.

Roads turned into raging rivers and even an express train derailed, as reported by TV station RTVE and other media. There were initially no casualties, but a truck driver is missing in Valencia.

The situation was particularly bad in the Mediterranean coastal regions of Andalusia, Murcia and Valencia, which are very popular with holidaymakers. Roads, houses and fields were flooded in many places. Farmers reported extensive damage.

The storm was accompanied by heavy rain, but in some places also by hail and gale-force winds with speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour, according to the weather service Aemet.

Within around twelve hours, up to 180 liters of water fell from the sky in some areas. Severe weather warnings were in place in nine of the country's 17 autonomous communities until at least the evening.

Videos published by the media and online show how vehicles and trees were swept away by the masses of water like toys.

In the Andalusian coastal town of El Ejido, not far from Almería, fields and hundreds of vehicles were severely damaged. "The hailstones were the size of golf balls," said farmer Mercedes González (46) to the newspaper "El País". "It seemed like the end of the world."

In many places in the south and east of Spain, highways and country roads had to be closed. Air and rail traffic was also affected. Classes were canceled at numerous schools and universities.

An AVE high-speed train on its way from Málaga to Madrid came off the tracks near the municipality of Álora shortly after the start of the journey with 291 passengers on board due to a landslide. According to rail company Renfe, there were no injuries.

The storm with heavy rain had already hit Mallorca and the other Balearic Islands on Monday. The situation there has since calmed down again.