The toll of lives lost due to a powerful weather system that swept through central Greece over the past week has now reached fifteen, as authorities recovered the body of a 42-year-old man in the Pagasitikos Gulf, near the port city of Volos.
Simultaneously, officials report that two individuals remain unaccounted for, reported Ekathimerini.
Meanwhile, extensive search and rescue operations are underway across the Thessaly plain, the largest such geographical expanse in Greece, often referred to as the nation’s “bread basket.”
The 42-year-old victim was tragically swept away by rapidly flowing floodwaters in front of his teenage son, becoming the initial reported missing person during the storm named “Daniel.”
In Volos, a major port city in Thessaly, partial restoration of power was achieved on Saturday afternoon, though the water network is still undergoing repairs. Water supply, provided on a rotational basis at specific times, remains non-potable.
Residents must collect bottled water from the town hall in Volos and nearby towns. Villages in eastern Pelio remain cut off, with several evacuations conducted by sea due to severe damage to the road network.
On Sunday, Alternate Health Minister Irini Agapidaki issued a caution to the public in Thessaly and other flood-affected areas, advising them to consume only bottled water.
Speaking from the Fire Brigade and Civil Protection Operations Coordinating Center in Larissa, she emphasized that residents in affected regions should consider stagnant water as contaminated. Local authorities will notify them when tap water is deemed safe for consumption.
Agapidaki stressed the importance of isolating pets and farm animals in areas where animal casualties have occurred, urging residents to promptly inform local authorities for carcass removal. The collection and disposal of deceased animals commenced at daybreak on Sunday, the minister stated. She also cautioned residents to take adequate precautions against coming into contact with deceased animals (including pets, rodents, and snakes) brought into their homes by floodwaters, as well as from exposed power lines.
Additionally, Agapidaki mentioned that, in addition to local health facilities, mobile teams from the National Organization of Health Services Provision (EOPYY) will offer supplementary assistance as required. Medicinal needs have already been addressed for elderly individuals through local health services, she added.
The minister advised residents to seek medical guidance if they experience symptoms such as a rash, fever, cough, headache, or diarrhea. This way, authorities can ascertain the cause and determine if further measures are necessary in their area.
Source: Ekathimerini and ot.gr
