Torrential Rains Flood Spanish Tourist City

Spain’s meteorological agency has placed the southern region bordering the Mediterranean on alert due to torrential rain that has submerged the downtown area of the region’s capital city.

Malaga, on the Costa del Sol, one of Europe’s most popular beachside tourist destinations, has endured almost five inches 5 inches (13 centimeters) of rain from midnight to midday Saturday, the agency said.

Television footage showed torrents of water plunging rapidly downhill through streets and the city’s main shopping quarter chest-deep in muddy water with hours more heavy rain still expected to fall.

The rain caused large traffic jams as tunnels and boulevards flooded. Local media reports said the coast had also been hit by a mini-tornado.