At least 11 people have lost their lives after catastrophic flooding brought by storms in Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria.
Greece
In Greece, the wave of severe weather, dubbed Storm Daniel, began on 05 September, 2023. By the afternoon of the same day, the storm had dumped 645 mm of rain in Zagora in Magnesia, Thessaly. Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said this was the highest daily rainfall total ever recorded in Greece.
According to Meteo Greece, more rain fell in the area, resulting in a total of 754 mm by 20:45 on 05 September. The previous daily rainfall record of 644.7 mm was recorded in Paliki Kefalonia during Mediterranean Cyclone Janus in September 2020.
The torrential rain resulted in severe flooding in multiple locations in Central Greece, in particular the Magnesia, Sporades and Evia regional units.
Two people died in floods in the city of Volos in the Magnesia Region. One person was reported missing after being his vehicle was swept away by floods. Two other people previously reported missing were found safe.
Turkey
In Turkey, flash floods struck northern districts of Istanbul on 05 September. Authorities reported widespread damage to buildings and roads and at least 2 fatalities.
Meanwhile in Kırklareli Province in northwestern Turkey, flash floods swept through areas near the of Iğneada of the Demirköy district. Twelve people were reported stranded by the floods. Emergency teams carried out extensive search and rescue operations. As of 05 September, Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported 6 people were rescued, but the bodies of two of the victims were found with 4 people still missing. By 06 September, AFAD reported 2 further fatalities.
📍Kırklareli
İğneada beldesinde meydana gelen selin ardından ilgili tüm kurumlarımızın, sivil toplum kuruluşlarımızın ve ekiplerimizin çalışması aralıksız devam ediyor.
Tüm imkanlarımızla sahadayız… pic.twitter.com/0SsgpEfKAy
— AFAD (@AFADBaskanlik) September 6, 2023
Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, a storm caused floods on the country’s southern Black Sea coast, in particular in the resort town of Tsarevo in Burgas Province, where authorities declared a state of emergency. Multiple rivers in the area burst their banks and several bridges were destroyed, causing serious traffic problems.
As of 06 September, 3 people had died in the floods and police were still searching for two people reported missing.
Tourism Minister Zaritsa Dinkova said about 4,000 people were affected by the disaster. Local hotels were housing more than 400 people who have been left stranded by the floods.
