Disasters
Animal carcasses after floods in Greece increase the risk of epidemics
Dead animals lie in the mud after heavy rain in Volos in central Greece. photo
© Thodoris Nikolaou/AP/dpa
Storm “Daniel” caused severe damage in central Greece. Tens of thousands of animals have died. This could become a big problem.
However, there is so far no evidence of a spreading disease, said Deputy Health Minister Irini Agapidaki on Wednesday at a press conference of the responsible ministries and authorities in the city of Larisa.
In many places there is still no electricity or water supply. In addition, the water, if it does run, is not suitable for human use in many communities – including the port city of Volos with around 150,000 inhabitants. “Not suitable” means that it should not be used for showering, cooking or even drinking, Agapidaki clarified.
Half of the carcasses already burned
Initial estimates of the number of dead animals came from the Ministry of Agriculture. According to this, at least 50,000 sheep and goats, 41,000 chickens, around 20,000 pigs and 4,200 cattle are said to have died and 43,000 beehives were destroyed. A good half of the livestock carcasses have already been collected and burned.
According to the fire department, several access roads to villages are still blocked by water. Parts of the highway between the two major cities of Athens and Thessaloniki are still flooded and not open to traffic, and the railway line also remained closed due to extensive damage.
From last Monday to Thursday, a severe storm settled over central Greece. Heavy rain flooded villages and towns in many places. The amount of precipitation reached unprecedented levels of more than 700 liters per square meter in less than 24 hours. 15 people were killed. Storm “Daniel” then moved on – and caused catastrophic floods in Libya with thousands of deaths.