{"id":52735,"date":"2017-11-16T07:54:00","date_gmt":"2017-11-16T07:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=52735"},"modified":"2017-11-16T07:54:00","modified_gmt":"2017-11-16T07:54:00","slug":"13-dead-athens-flash-floods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/world-news\/13-dead-athens-flash-floods.html","title":{"rendered":"13 dead in Athens flash floods"},"content":{"rendered":"

13 dead in Athens flash floods<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

13 dead in Athens flash floods:- The death toll from flash floods that have devastated areas around the Greek capital Athens has hit 13, according to the region’s fire department.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yianna Krikouki, mayor of Mandra, one of the most affected areas north-west of Athens, said residents “were trapped in their homes, the water is one meter (3 feet) high inside some houses, and (they) have no electricity and water.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking on Greek radio, he said that there was “nothing standing in the entire area of Mandra” and the town is “now mourning its lost fellow citizens.”<\/span><\/p>\n

A state of emergency has been declared in the West Attica region, where Mandra is located. Parts of the national highway system have been destroyed and many roads remain shut.<\/span><\/p>\n

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has called an emergency meeting with relevant ministers, the head of the fire department and the Greater Athens prefect.<\/span><\/p>\n

As many as 86 people have been rescued from flood waters, with the injured transported to hospital.<\/span><\/p>\n

The fire department said it has received at least 600 calls for assistance and operations continue, according to its press office.<\/span><\/p>\n

An Athens prosecutor has ordered an urgent preliminary investigation into the causes of the destruction. The floods were triggered by heavy rains.<\/span><\/p>\n

Condolences<\/span><\/p>\n

European Commission President Claude Juncker expressed his condolences in a statement.<\/span><\/p>\n

“I am saddened to learn about the many people who have lost their lives and loved ones during the deadly floods affecting central Greece. On behalf of the whole European Commission, I would like to express our full solidarity with the Greek people and authorities at this difficult time,” it said.<\/span><\/p>\n

“A tragedy in any of our Member States is a tragedy for all of Europe. We stand ready to support Greece in any way we can. Our EU emergency assistance tools are at the full disposal of the authorities.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said that his agency was in contact with the Greek authorities on Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Europe stands by Greece,” he tweeted.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Our thoughts are with our fellow citizens who remain trapped and in the efforts to rescue them.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:-\u00a0http:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2017\/11\/15\/europe\/greece-flash-floods\/index.html<\/span><\/p>\n

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