In a tragic turn of events, severe storms wreaking havoc across southern Europe have claimed lives and caused significant destruction. In Greece, a giant wave led to the untimely death of a man along the coast, while in Italy, a landslide dramatically disrupted a local cemetery.
Astros, a charming seaside town in Greece, became the scene of a heartbreaking accident when a 53-year-old coastguard lost his life. While diligently performing his duties, the man was swept away by a massive wave. The Hellenic Coast Guard reported that he was on foot patrol, securing boats in the port when the powerful surge overtook him.
Disturbing footage captured the moment the colossal wave breached the barrier, crashing down on startled onlookers below. Tragically, the force of the wave resulted in a severe head injury for the coastguard, who succumbed to his injuries after being rescued from the water and rushed to a nearby hospital.
Meanwhile, in San Mauro Marchesato, a small town in Italy’s Crotone province, the relentless storms caused a landslide that devastated the local cemetery. The heavy rains triggered the earth’s movement, sending approximately 20 coffins tumbling into a ravine, leaving the community reeling from the unexpected chaos.
The coast guard suffered a serious head injury as a result of the impact and was pronounced dead after being pulled out of the water and taken to a local medical facility.
Elsewhere, in San Mauro Marchesato, Crotone, Italy, around 20 coffins ended up piling into a ravine after heavy rains destroyed part of the town’s old cemetery.
In footage from the scene, wooden wreckage was seen stacked below the cemetery, with floral garlands and framed images of individuals seen scattered amid the debris.
With around eight inches of rain falling in just 24 hours, a landslide was triggered in the town, destroying the lower part of the cemetery and some of its contents.
A strong wave in Astros, Kynouria, Greece, swept away a coast guard who was on patrol
In San Mauro Marchesato, Crotone, around 20 coffins ended up piling into a ravine after heavy rains destroyed part of the town’s old cemetery
In footage from the scene, wooden wreckage was seen stacked below the cemetery, with floral garlands and framed images of individuals seen scattered amid the debris
In Glyfada, Greece, roads were turned into rivers as severe floods battered the popular holiday hotspot, also known as the unofficial capital of the Athens Riviera
It comes just a day after Italians were seen running for their lives when a tsunami-style storm surge flooded the streets of Sicily as the Mediterranean was battered by powerful Storm Harry.
Meanwhile, in Glyfada, Greece, roads were turned into rivers as severe floods battered the popular holiday hotspot, also known as the unofficial capital of the Athens Riviera.
In one video posted on social media, muddy water can be seen sweeping down a street in Metsovou, dragging cars along with it.
The deadly weather also slammed the southern suburbs of Attica on Wednesday afternoon, claiming the life of a 56-year-old woman who was swept away by a rush of floodwater.
The woman had been returning from work at around 8.00pm when she attempted to cross a street in the Ano Glyfada area.
At the time, a torrent of water was rushing down from a mountainous region towards the local Cyril and Methodius street, and she was tragically dragged into the current and left trapped under a car.
Her neighbours frantically called the emergency services for assistance, but when firefighters reached the scene, the woman was already dead.
A resident of the area, who witnessed the devastating incident, told Protothema of the dramatic seconds in which the woman lost her life.
‘It was after 9 o’clock. She was going to cross the street to go to her house. She was swept away by the stream,’ they recalled.
‘She got stuck under the car, and we couldn’t save her. Only her little feet were visible under the car’.
The National Observatory of Athens said the eight highest rainfalls across the country were recorded across Attica, the Eastern Peloponnese, and Evia.
By 8.00pm, Papagou recorded 5.7 inches, Taktikoupoli Trizinia, 5.1 inches, and Vyronas, almost 5 inches.
Nomismatokopio, Chalandri, Drosia, Ilioupoli, Maroussi, and Ampelokipoi were also hit hard by the bad weather.
On Thursday, the storm’s vortex is expected to shift eastward.
The Aegean islands are now under threat, with forecasts predicting ‘storm surges’ and hurricane-force winds reaching between 55mph and 63mph. Authorities remain on high alert as the front moves across the archipelago.
Elsewhere, snowfall and sub-zero temperatures swept across Northern Greece, with Western Macedonia under red alert since Wednesday.
Snow was reported in areas including Serres, Kilkis, Nevrokopi, Florina, Nikiforos, while sleet affected parts of Thessaloniki, Pella, Kilkis, Kavala, and Drama.
Early Thursday, temperatures dropped to -5C in Volakas, Nevrokopi, and Paranesti, -4C in Vlasti, -3C in Pontokerasia and -2°C in Drama.
Police in Western Macedonia imposed temporary traffic bans on heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 tons on several routes.
Snow chains are also mandatory on multiple sections of the road network, while school schedules have been adjusted in some areas.
It comes after powerful waves submerged roads and pavements in Italy, as sea foam appeared to reach the ground floors of nearby buildings.
Clips shared on social media showed the moment a towering storm-surge smashed straight into the harbour on the island of Lipari, off Sicily.
Footage shows massive waves striking Sicily on Tuesday night as the Mediterranean was battered by powerful Storm Harry
Sprawling waves are seen submerging roads and pavements
Locals can be seen running away and screaming as water turned streets into rivers
In Catania, huge waves caused serious damage at a high-end seafood restaurant
Other videos taken across Sicily showed the damage left behind by the storm surge, with debris and rubbish bags seen floating down the flooded streets
The white water flooded the surrounding streets instantly, while ferocious winds and even more waves continued to relentlessly tear through the shore.
In Catania, Sicily’s second-largest city, huge waves caused serious damage at a high-end seafood restaurant.
CCTV footage taken from inside the eatery showed how a powerful storm surge smashed into the windows of the Andrew’s Faro restaurant – shattering the glass and destroying everything in its path.
Other videos taken across the island showed the damage left behind by the storm surge, with debris and rubbish bags seen floating down the flooded streets.
Authorities issued red alerts across Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria as the storm unleashed gale-force winds, heavy rain, and vicious storm surges.
In Sicily, wind gusts reached 74 miles per hour, while waves exceeded nine metres, forcing officials to order precautionary evacuations as conditions worsened.
In Catania, the sea surged past the five-metre mark.
Maritime conditions forced the suspension of all ferries to Sardinia and smaller islands, leaving scores of people stranded.
In the port city of Messina, conditions were so severe that a section of the seaside promenade collapsed entirely.
The island was expecting up to 11 inches of rain in just two days.
Some 190 people were evacuated from exposed areas across Sicily amid the threat of sudden surges and flooding.
Several towns have ordered the closure of schools, parks, and sports facilities, while firefighters have been working to help families evacuate their homes.
