The Spanish army has been sent to Ibiza for the second time in less than a fortnight after more flooding brought chaos to the island and left the airport out of action for nearly an hour and a half. Storm Alice battered the holiday destination yesterday evening after dumping torrential rain on Spain’s east coast, including the Costa Blanca.
24 flights were cancelled from late afternoon onwards, with inside areas having to be closed to travellers because of water leaking into the terminal and power cuts caused by the rain. Officials at the Spanish airports authority AENA told local press: “Because of the adverse weather conditions in Ibiza, airport operations were temporarily paralysed between 6pm and 7.20pm. “During that time the runway was cleaned along with other areas that were affected by the storm.” Half of the flights said to have been cancelled were incoming flights and the other 12 departing flights, with British holidaymakers among those affected.
The main road to the airport was also rendered unusable in a repeat of the September 30 horror floods. Videos released by police showed several vehicles trapped in floodwater. Several roads in Ibiza Town, brought to its knees by torrential rain at the end of last month, were closed as the heavens opened.
Late on Saturday night, it was confirmed that military personnel from the specialist UME Armed Forces unit were heading back to Ibiza from their base near Valencia following a request from regional governors.
Army chiefs said on X: “Units from the Third Intervention Battalion BIEM3 have left their base in Valencia to join the emergency services in responding to flood warnings in Ibiza.”
The military reinforcements were due to arrive around 5am on Sunday morning (October 12).
Ibiza Town’s mayor, Rafa Triguero, confirming several road closures, including main access avenues into the city on X, said yesterday evening: “All the council teams and services are working tirelessly to drain water and re-establish normality as soon as possible. The most important thing is that no one has been hurt.”
He also urged people to stay indoors if possible and be extremely cautious if they had to travel anywhere.
In addition to Ibiza Town, the holiday resort of Playa d’en Bossa and the towns of San Jose and Santa Eularia also suffered flooding. One local described the situation on the island as “devastating.” The neighbouring islands of Majorca and Formentera also experienced problems.
The torrential rain on September 30 caused problems, including flooding at Ibiza nightclubs and hotels. Three people were injured when rocks smashed into the four-star Vibra Tropical Garden Apartments, a short walk from Figueretas beach in Ibiza Town. A British holidaymaker staying at the hotel, where 220 guests had to be evacuated, could be overheard shouting “Oh my God” over and over as the drama there occurred.
Tourists reaching Ibiza on ferries were pictured stepping into knee-deep water as they got off the boat. The army was drafted in to help the emergency responders already in Ibiza with the rescue and clean-up operation.
Before it caused problems in the Balearic Islands on Saturday evening, Storm Alice battered areas on the Spanish mainland, including Murcia. Several people had to be rescued from their cars in coastal areas of the province, including San Javier and Los Alcazares.