Two Britons killed in taxi among nine dead in Majorca flash floods

Two Britons who were killed in a taxi are among the nine people who have died during flash floods in Majorca.

The island was hit by devastating floods overnight, with torrential rainstorms hitting the town of Sant Lorrenc, about 40 miles east of the capital Palma.

The two British citizens, believed to be a couple, were travelling in a taxi when a river burst its banks on the popular holiday island.

Spanish authorities confirmed that a total of nine people have died.

Antonia Bauza, the deputy mayor of Sant Llorenc, confirmed two of the victims were British nationals.

She told local radio that two other victims were local, including an elderly woman whose body was found in the basement of her house.

The Foreign Office said in a statement: “We are in contact with the Spanish authorities responding to flooding in Majorca, and urgently seeking updates from them.”

The Majorca Daily Bulletin said that people were rescued from roofs and trees after the deluge hit, and the electricity and phone connections were cut.

Forecasters said that eight inches of rain fell in four hours.

100 rescue workers have been deployed to the area, and will be joined by 80 soldiers.

Hundreds of displaced people are now being forced to shelter in emergency accommodation.