Greece floods – live: Skiathos flights canceled as flooding across Europe traps tourists
Flood water gushes down Skiathos road as intense rain hits Greece
Further storms are set to batter a Greek island where hundreds of British tourists are stranded following flash floods.
At least one person was killed and five others are thought to be missing after cars were swept away and streets submerged by rainfall in parts of Greece on Tuesday.
It comes as the World Meteorological Organisation said that the northern hemisphere experienced its hottest summer on record, fuelled by climate change.
Skiathos, a popular holiday island in the northwest Aegean Sea, was forecast to be hit with heavy showers and thunderstorms throughout Wednesday morning.
Holidaymakers on the island have been left with “no way to get food” with many currently unable to get to the airport.
One stranded tourist said the centre of Skiathos is “underwater” and described the situation as “horrendously scary”.
Flooding is also affecting parts of Turkey and Bulgaria with the death toll across the three countries currently at nine.
Flood-hit area of Turkey also braced for more rain
Two holiday holidaymakers were swept away by a torrent of water that raged through a campsite in Kirklareli province, northwest Turkey near the border with Bulgaria.
More rain is forecast for the province today.
Turkish interior minister Ali Yerlikaya said four other people were missing after the flash flood swept over the site.
Search teams had located two bodies, he said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “The search and rescue efforts for the missing (four) continue uninterrupted,” he added.
William Mata6 September 2023 13:50
Simon Calder: Skiathos flights severely disrupted
Jet2, which normally operates many flights between the UK and Skiathos, has cancelled all its Tuesday and Wednesday flights, Simon Calder reports.
One Jet2 aircraft, from London Stansted to the island was initially diverted to the Greek capital, Athens. The plane made a second attempt to reach Skiathos, but instead diverted to Thessaloniki, where passengers and flight crew were accommodated overnight. The aircraft will return to the UK today.
Further Jet2 flights from Manchester, Leeds Bradford and London Stansted have been grounded, while a number of arrivals from Continental Europe are diverted or cancelled.
On tour: flight path of Jet2 service that had been diverted to Athens, and made a second attempt before landing at Thessaloniki
(Flightradar24)
William Mata6 September 2023 13:40
British tourists urged to check Greek emergency service for updates
British tourists in parts of Greece hit by flooding are being urged to check local emergency service for updates on flooding.
The advice says adverse weather conditions, including floods, are affecting some regions.
“The situation can change quickly,” it states. “Follow ‘112 Greece’ on Twitter for official updates.”
William Mata6 September 2023 13:31
More storms forecast for flood-hit areas of Greece
Areas affected by flooding in Greece are forecast to be hit with more rain and storms.
The Met Office says there is a 70 per cent chance of rain in Skiathos throughout most of today.
Heavy showers will change to “thunder showers” in the afternoon, it adds. Rain is also forecast for Volos.
(Met Office)
(Met Office)
Matt Mathers6 September 2023 13:20
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of flash floods affecting Europe.
Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria are affected by flooding and forecasters say more rain is on the way.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.
Matt Mathers6 September 2023 13:17
