In In Spain, Semana Santa is drowned in storms, rain and snow. The four deaths overshadow a week in which half the country flocks to the coast for the first time and traditional processions of pointed-hatted penitents make their way through cities.
Two holidaymakers were killed by high waves on the North Atlantic coast on Maundy Thursday. The British man was found dead only in Muros del Nalón, Asturias. With her partner on the pier, she had watched Spring Storm Nelson up close with waves up to eight meters high, even though the Aemet Weather Service had issued an orange severe weather warning.
In the neighboring fishing town of Cudillero, a Spanish woman died in the harbor when a wave washed her out to sea and threw her on the rocks. A 32-year-old German tourist drowned on the Mediterranean coast near Tarragona while trying to save a 16-year-old Moroccan who had fallen into the water during a storm at Playa de Milagros, according to the agency.
Inland, rescue workers had to contend with flooding and storm damage. In Ciudad Real, they brought seven people from a flooded house to safety. At higher altitudes, snowfall threatened to impede road traffic.
Strong winds also affected ferry traffic across the Strait of Gibraltar and air traffic, particularly in the north of the country. In many cities, processions were canceled so as not to endanger the floats with groups of historical figures and delicate costumes. In Andalusia, the cancellations did not only affect Seville and Málaga. In the small town of Antequera, all the parades were literally canceled. There were also cancellations in the capital, Madrid, and in the center of the country. .