In southern Europe and in Turkey, more people died as a result of the severe storms: In Turkey, the number of deaths has now risen to four. There were also fatalities in Greece and Bulgaria.
More people died in the heavy rains and floods in southern Europe and Turkey. In the Türkiye the authorities reported at least four deaths. According to the governor, two people died in Istanbul. Two other people died in the city of Kirklareli in the north-west of the country, the emergency services said. Four people are therefore missing.
The heavy rain turned the streets of Istanbul into raging rivers. A metro station was partially under water after the night’s storm. According to media reports, dozens of people had to be brought to safety from a city library. Images of cars and market stalls washed away by the floodwaters were seen on television and online networks.
Turkey’s heavy rains follow a particularly dry summer that saw water levels in Istanbul’s 16-million-strong city drop to its lowest level in nine years.
Severe storms, especially in central Greece
In Greece So far, one person has died due to severe storms. There was heavy rain, especially in the middle of the country. In the cities and regions that were particularly hard hit, people were asked in the evening not to leave their apartments and houses.
In the region of Thessaly, including the port city of Volos, there was major damage. There the water reached almost to the roofs of parked cars. Cars were washed into the sea by the water masses, basements and shops were full. In addition, the power went out in many places. The mobile phone network and the Internet were also affected and sometimes only worked to a limited extent or not at all.
Several hundred people were stuck at the airport on the island of Skiathos because the planes were canceled, as reported by the broadcaster Skai.
According to meteorologists, such heavy rain is unusual
There was also heavy rain and severe thunderstorms in Bulgaria. Two people died there on Tuesday on the southern Black Sea coast, and three more are missing.
According to meteorologists, such heavy rainfall does not normally occur even in the winter months. Many experts say she has “never seen” showers like this before.
The severe storms are expected to stop for the time being. Today and tomorrow it is supposed to rain heavily, thunderstorms and storms. An easing of the situation is only announced for Friday.