Man drowns as storms batter Greek island of Crete, causing widespread flooding
- The man’s car had been swept away by raging waters in the town of Agia Pelagia. A woman who was reportedly in the same vehicle is missing, it was reported
- Authorities said they were investigating more reports of missing people
A man drowned and there are reports of missing people as storms batter Crete, causing rivers to overflow and flooding locations across Greece’s biggest island on Saturday.
The worst damage seems to have been done in the seaside town of Agia Pelagia, about 25km (16 miles) northwest of Iraklio, Crete’s largest city. This is where firefighters found the 50-year-old man, whose car had been swept up by raging waters.
The state-run Athens News Agency said that a woman who was reportedly in the same vehicle is missing. Divers from the coastguard and the fire department’s Special Disaster Unit are searching for her.
Gale force winds are also blowing across most of the island.
Footage showed at least 10 cars floating in the turbulent sea off Agia Pelagia’s narrow beach and other debris, including a fridge. Firefighters rescued a woman trapped inside her car before it was swept into the sea. Authorities said they were investigating more reports of missing people and fear others may have been trapped in their cars.
Inhabitants in the area of Lasithi, on the east side of the island, have been warned by SMS text messages not to leave their homes. In the city of Chania, on the western end of the island, houses have been flooded, according to regional officials.