Gran Canaria, a popular holiday hotspot in the Canary Islands , has been ravaged by catastrophic flooding , which has seen vehicles washed into the ocean.

Holidaymakers have received direct warnings to remain inside as surging waters pose extreme dangers across the island.

Dramatic footage circulating online captured a vehicle being dragged dozens of metres out to sea after heavy rain hit the island. Another video depicted a car tumbling in the powerful flood before disappearing down the roadway, lost from view.

On Monday, Spain's weather body Aemet announced a red alert on Gran Canaria as forecasts predicted severe weather throughout the week. Tenerife, Lanzarote and all other Canary Islands were under a 'pre-alert' for rain on Monday.

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