PAIPORTA, Spain: Spain sent more soldiers on Monday to its flood-hit east where rescuers scoured underground carparks for bodies and protests bubbled over the government's handling of a disaster that has killed at least 217 people.

The army sent about 5,000 soldiers over the weekend to help distribute food and water, clean up streets and guard against looters. A further 2,500 would join them, Defence Minister Margarita Robles told state-owned radio RNE.

A warship carrying 104 marine infantry soldiers as well as trucks with food and water was approaching Valencia port even as a strong hailstorm pummelled Barcelona some 300 km (186 miles) to the north. An alert from regional authorities warned of potential landslides and more flooding.

Airport operator AENA said about 50 flights due to take off from Barcelona's partially flooded El Prat airport were cancelled or severely delayed, while 17 due to land there were diverted. Some local train services were also cancelled.

Fatalities from Spain's worst flash floods in modern history edged higher to 217 on Sunday, almost all of them in the Valencia region and more than 60 in the suburb of Paiporta.

Rescue teams searched carparks and river mouths where currents may have deposited more bodies.

Locals criticised late alerts from authorities about the dangers and a perceived delayed response by emergency services.

On Sunday, some residents in Paiporta slung mud at Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Felipe and his wife Queen Letizia, chanting: "murderers, murderers!"

Photos showed Sanchez's official car with broken windows.

Some people protesting on Sunday against Sanchez in the Valencia region wore clothing with the symbols of far-right organisations. Robles said extremist groups were taking advantage of the situation for political gains.