Four Dead and Six Missing in Greece After Severe Rainstorms Cause Widespread Flooding

At least four people have died and six are missing after severe rainstorms caused widespread flooding in central Greece. Fire department spokesperson Vasilis Vathrakogiannis said swift water rescue specialists and divers from the department’s disaster response units, as well as the army, are participating in rescue efforts and are trying to reach remote areas despite roads having been washed away.

More than 800 people have been rescued over the past two days from floods in Greece, the fire department said Thursday. The rainstorms have also hit neighboring Bulgaria and Turkey, leaving 14 people dead in the three countries, including three people in Greece.

Authorities deployed divers and swift water rescue specialists as residents in some villages took refuge on the roofs of their homes on Thursday to escape floodwaters that rose to more than 2 meters (6 feet). In Greece, helicopters, unable to fly earlier due to frequent lightning, began plucking people from flooded areas and winching them to safety on Thursday afternoon.

The flooding has caused significant damage to infrastructure, with streams turning into raging torrents, bursting dams, washing away roads and bridges, and hurling cars into the sea. The Greek government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas and is providing assistance to those affected by the floods.

The flooding has had a devastating impact on the region, with the death toll continuing to rise. The Greek government is urging people to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their property.