Fears floods death toll could reach 70

Emergency crews in Madeira were searching today for 32 people still missing amid fears that flash floods and landslides may have claimed more than 70 lives on the Portuguese holiday island.

Authorities have confirmed the weekend storm killed at least 42 people.

Rescue teams with sniffer dogs, Navy divers and bulldozers were involved in a fourth day of emergency operations today.

Officials were checking whether bodies were trapped in piles of debris or in submerged underground car parks.

But they suspect those still unaccounted for may have been swept out to sea when torrents poured down the Atlantic island’s steep slopes.

Portugal is observing three days of mourning for the victims of Madeira’s worst disaster in living memory.