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.

greek film festival sydney new

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

From Athens to Adelaide: Hellenic bonds strengthened at dinner for Loverdos

South Australia’s Greek community gathered at the Mortlock Chamber to honour visiting Deputy Minister Ioannis Loverdos.

Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney pays tribute to women of courage and resistance

The Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney hosted a deeply moving and meticulously researched presentation titled Greek Heroines of WWII.

Anemones in full bloom, 25 years of Greek dance and giving

The hall was brimming with warmth, laughter, dance, and homemade food; unmistakable signs you’d stepped into an Anemones celebration.

Sydney Olympic may be forced to drop new logo over Olympic symbol breach

Sydney Olympic FC may be forced to change its new logo after it was found to breach protections over official Olympic symbols.

Greek Australian community leader Nola Radiotis honoured with Senior Award

The Victorian Senior of the Year Awards took place at Government House on this Wednesday, October 22, 2025. 

You May Also Like

South Australian seafood heir Panagiotis Toumazos charged with child abuse

Panagiotis Toumazos of the well-known Toumazos family of the South Australian Fish Factory fame, has been charged with sexual assault.

Ioannina Castle becomes fully accessible to disabled visitors

Major upgrade of the facilities at Ioannina Castle include wheelchair accessibility and marked routes for the visually impaired. 

Hotels in Greece ordered shut as all passenger flights expected to be grounded

Greece’s Tourism Ministry on Thursday announced the closure of the Greece's year-round hotels through end-April, which will be effective as of March 23.