Flash floods have wreaked havoc in Bulgaria, Greece, and Türkiye, resulting in the loss of at least seven lives. The catastrophe has caused major disruptions in traffic and forced evacuations in several areas.
In Türkiye’s largest city, Istanbul, two individuals lost their lives, as reported by the governor’s office on Tuesday. Heavy downpours led to the devastation of the Basaksehir and Kucukcekmece districts, located in the European part of Istanbul. Disturbing videos circulating on social media depict the streets being inundated with raging torrents, sweeping away cars. Additionally, several subway stations have been flooded. Fortunately, all those who were trapped inside the library building have been successfully rescued, according to Yasin Kartoglu, the top official in Basaksehir.
Further tragedy unfolded in the Kirklareli province, near the Bulgarian border, where a flash flood at a campsite claimed the lives of two people, while four others remain missing. The Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, announced that emergency search and rescue operations were initiated following the destruction of tourist bungalows.
In Bulgaria, the coastal resort town of Tsarevo was severely impacted by torrential rains, causing entire streets to be submerged. Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov confirmed the death of two individuals, with three others still unaccounted for. Approximately 60 people were evacuated from the affected area.
Simultaneously, Greece experienced heavy rainfall and flash flooding in its western and central regions due to the effects of Storm Daniel. Tragically, in the city of Volos, one man lost his life when a wall collapsed on him, and another person remains missing, according to local fire department authorities. The flooding also caused significant damage to a nursing home in Volos, resulting in the evacuation of 94 elderly residents.
On the island of Skiathos, international tourists found themselves stranded as police issued an order for locals and foreigners alike to remain off the streets for safety reasons.
The devastating flash floods in Southern Europe have brought about unimaginable loss and destruction, leaving communities in shock and despair. The priority now is to ensure the safety and welfare of those affected while emergency services continue their valiant efforts in search and rescue operations. In the face of such natural disasters, it is crucial for governments to strengthen their disaster preparedness measures and invest in infrastructure to mitigate the impact of future catastrophes. International assistance and support should also be mobilized to aid the affected regions in their recovery process. Together, we must strive to build more resilient communities that can withstand and recover from such devastating events.
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