Flash floods have killed one person and caused widespread devastation on the Greek holiday island of Rhodes, a popular destination for British tourists. A 62-year-old man died after a surge of water swept his vehicle onto a beach, authorities confirmed.
Victim and rescue operations
The man, a hotel worker, was found in Stegna, a village about 20 miles south of Rhodes Town. Firefighters and coast guard teams searched the coastline as four vehicles were washed away, the coast guard said in a statement.
Emergency services received more than 100 calls for help on Rhodes, carrying out 13 evacuations and 64 water-pumping operations. In Archangelos, the island's largest traditional village, an empty car was carried off by the floodwaters.
State of emergency and travel disruption
Rhodes has been declared under a state of emergency. Schools on the island will close on October 15 to allow inspections and damage assessments. Several bus routes in Rhodes town have been suspended, including services to and from the port of Akandia and along the Rhodes-Faliraki route.
Heavy rain has submerged roads, stranding vehicles in Ialysos, Rhodes town, Afandou, Faliraki and Archangelos. Traffic was halted on the Archangelos-Malona road after a large boulder fell onto the carriageway, damaging the surface and safety barriers.
Wider weather warnings
In a separate incident, a lightning strike caused a house fire in Ialysos, the island's second-largest town. Authorities urged residents of Rhodes and other Aegean islands to restrict travel to essential journeys only.
Greece has been hit by torrential rain and fierce winds, triggering code red weather warnings across seven regions, including Crete, Attica, Evia and the South Aegean. Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Evangelos Tournas said the severe weather caused fallen trees, flooding and power cuts in many areas.
Cyprus is under an orange weather alert, with meteorologists warning of violent thunderstorms, strong gusts and possible hail.
