Three die in Canary Islands flood

The flood happened on the island of La Palma

MADRID, Spain -- Three people died and up to 142 were rescued after a flash flood swept a national park in Spain's Canary Islands, officials said on Wednesday.

A group of 30 German-speaking tourists were in a ravine in the Caldera de Taburiente national park on the island of La Palma on Tuesday when they were surprised by a sudden surge of water after heavy rains lashed the island.

Four helicopters and several rescue workers took part in a search of the island on Wednesday.

"Three bodies have been recovered and 142 people have been rescued. But we are not now aware of any missing," a rescue services spokeswoman told Reuters.

A government spokesman earlier said two people were missing and feared there might be another two people unaccounted for.

The island's administrative director told Spanish National Radio: "We have located 142 people in the park, including a group of 19 Austrians, who are all safe."

The German consul in Las Palmas, Franz Xaver Kramlinger, said the identities and nationalities of the victims had not been confirmed.

"I'm told they were part of a German-speaking group of walkers," he said.

There were warnings of further heavy rain in the islands on Wednesday. Storms and strong winds in the Straits of Gibraltar kept fishing boats in port and interrupted ferry services between southern Spain and North Africa.