Flood fears spread

Fierce rains force airport and rail lines to close in north | Emergency aid for south as desperate searches continue

- MARTIN FRICKER

FRESH flooding hit Spain yesterday as downpours led to the closure of Barcelona's airport and rail system.

Forecasters placed the city on an "extreme danger" red alert as violent storms battered the region.

Floodwaters poured into terminal buildings at the city's El Prat airport and motorways were submerged.

Thousands of UK air passengers were stranded after 50 departures were cancelled and several delayed.

British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair were among the airlines affected.

Rail services were suspended across Barcelona after tracks were left under feet of water. Residents in the city received alerts on their mobile phones warning of "extreme and continued rainfall".