UK tourists in Spain say 'like an apocalypse film' as emergency alerts sent to phones

UK tourists in Spain described the 'frightening' moment their mobile phones started to emit a 'horrible beeping sound' in unison as the Spanish government sent out a mass alert.

Parts of Spain including Malaga were issued with red-level weather alerts for Wednesday, November 13 as torrential rain caused serious flooding as muddy floodwater filled roads and streets. Other areas like Seville, Cadiz, Alicante, Grenada and Barcelona were placed under less-severe red or yellow-level alerts.

People staying in the 'red warning' areas received a government alert on their mobile phones on Tuesday night, November 12, with one British expat telling Spanish news site Olive Press that it 'was like something out an apocalypse film'.

Read more: UK tourists on alert as Spain upgrades warnings to 'red' and thousands evacuated

The message, which was sent in Spanish as well as English, said: "Civil alert ... Red warning activated (Aemet), extreme risk of rainfall ... be very cautious, avoid travel and follow the advice of 112."

Other tourists described the terrifying moment on social media, as @RuthieR posted on X: "We have a red alert for rain in Malaga area. My phone went off with the alert last night, almost **** myself. No travel, stay in the hotel. It could only happen to us - but it makes for a tale to tell in the future. Keep your fingers crossed for the people of Spain."

Lidia Rebel wrote: "Weather alert in Malaga, my phone almost gave me a heart attack." And Matt Harrison said: "My phone just went mental with a siren noise warning of the red alert now in the Malaga province. Never jumped so high in my life. Stay safe out there everyone on the Costa del Sol."

A red-level alert, issued by Spain's weather agency Aemet, means that there is an 'extreme' risk to the population in the affected area. A number of flights at Malaga Airport have been affected by the rain, with the airport's operator Aena advising passengers to check with their airlines before leaving to catch their flight as the situation is evolving fast.