Spain floods death toll passes 150 as country begins three days of mourning

People urged to stay at home as more bad weather forecast, with number of dead expected to rise further

• Spanish floods – latest updates

The death toll from devastating floods in the eastern Spanish region of Valencia has risen to 155, authorities have said, as the country began three days of mourning and the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, urged people to stay at home.

With forecasts of more bad weather prompting storm alerts farther north, Sánchez urged residents on Thursday to “please, follow the calls of the emergency services … Right now the most important thing is to save as many lives as possible.”