Second person found dead as clean-up begins after flash flooding in Crete

·

Two people have died after flash flooding swept across the Greek island of Crete over the weekend.

According to The Guardian, the body of Kostas Vergakis was found in his car on Saturday, where he was trapped as severe storms struck the Greek island.

The discovery led to a extensive search operation for the vehicle’s passenger with rescue workers recovering a second female body on Sunday in the Mediterranean off Agia Pelagia, a seaside resort north-west of Crete’s capital, Heraklion.

A man crosses a flooded street following heavy thunderstorms, in the village of Agia Pelagia, on the island of Crete. Photo: AP Photo/Harry Nakos.

The victim, a 49-year-old mother of two, had been swept into the sea as she tried to get out of the car while it was washed away by the floods.

These deaths come after the weekend storm unleashed the equivalent of four months’ rainfall in a matter of hours on coastal villages, flooding roads, shops and homes.

Cars abandoned by the sea following heavy thunderstorms, in the village of Paliokastro, on the island of Crete. Photo: AP Photo/Harry Nakos.

Footage emerged of cars and other debris submerged under seawater in Agis Pelagia and Sitia in the east of the island, where a state of emergency was declared.

The Mayor of Sitia, Giorgos Zervakis, said he has “never seen anything like it.”

“The situation is out of control,” the Mayor added. “There have been landslides, roads are closed, areas are impassable because of cars and streets have turned into rivers.”

Greek government officials inspect the damage. Photo: AMNA.gr.

A Greek government taskforce has since visited Crete on Sunday and announced a package of support measures that will include a 400,000 euro compensation package with immediate effect.

Greece’s Alternate Interior Minister, Stelios Petsas, expressed his condolences for the deaths of the two people swept away by the flood water, and pledged that the government will do everything possible to help survivors “get back to normality” after the damage caused by the flash floods.

Source: The Guardian.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Jon Adgemis seeks deal with creditors amid debt crisis

Hospitality mogul Jon Adgemis is seeking to avoid bankruptcy by proposing a personal insolvency agreement to his creditors.

Cricketer Sam Konstas confirmed as opener for first West Indies Test

19-year-old Sam Konstas returns to the side for the first West Indies Test as opening batsman alongside veteran Usman Khawaja.

Greece successfully launches first domestically built satellite into orbit

Greece has launched DUTHSat-2, the country’s first domestically designed and constructed environmental satellite.

Fringe jihadists claim responsibility for deadly suicide bombing at Damascus church

Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing that struck the Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus.

Funeral held for Damascus church victims as Patriarch demands justice

The funeral service for victims of Sunday’s suicide bombing at the Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias in Damascus, Syria was held.

You May Also Like

Apostolos Apostolakis from Crete named Greek Captain of the Year

Captain Apostolos Apostolakis was awarded 'Seafarer of the Year' at the prestigious Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards on December 4.

The winners and losers of the 2022 Federal Budget

The Albanese government has unveiled its first budget, promising to make life "easier for Australians," here are the winners and losers.

Greek shipowner and industrialist, Constantinos Angelopoulos, dies aged 76

Greek industrialist and shipowner, Constantinos Angelopoulos, died in Athens on Monday at the age of seventy-six.