FIREFIGHTERS had to rescue nine people who were trapped in a country cottage by the floods this morning in Alzira (Valencia).

As a result of the storms and torrential rain from last night until this morning across the region, the Materna area in the rural outskirts of Alzira is now over four metres under water.

The nearby La Casella ravine has filled up and burst its banks.

Nine people in a cottage in the area were unable to leave their house, as they did not know how to swim.

Rescue efforts started at 08.00hrs, but due to the difficulties in accessing the areas, a fire brigade diving team with a lifeboat had to be sent to the house.

In the Comunidad Valenciana, 11 roads are currently cut off – seven in the province of Valencia and four in Alicante – in addition to the AP-7 heading north through Benissa (Alicante) due to floods and rockfalls.

A contraflow has been set up to allow traffic to pass through this three-kilometre stretch of motorway.