Four elderly people have died in a flood at a nursing home, Spanish authorities said.

The civil protection department of the north-eastern region of Catalonia said the flooding, caused by heavy rain, engulfed the lower ground floor of the building in the town of Agramunt early on Tuesday.

Spanish media reported that five other residents had been taken to hospital.

The Catalan government confirmed the deaths. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy tweeted his condolences.

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