Flooding Europe, Brazil Kills Scores Of People

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

SOFIA/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Scores of people have died in massive flooding hitting Europe and Brazil after record rainfall hit several areas in these parts of the world.

At least 13 people were confirmed to have died after record rainstorms hit parts of Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey, with more bodies being discovered on Wednesday afternoon.

Hundreds of British tourists were said to be stranded at destinations following the storms, which have led to cars being swept away and streets submerged by rainfall, British media reported.

In Bulgaria, a storm caused floods on the country’s southern Black Sea coast, and on Wednesday, the body of a missing tourist was recovered.

In Greece, a record rainfall caused at least two deaths near the central city of Volos, and three people were reported missing.

The fire department said one man was killed when a wall buckled and fell on him, and a woman’s body was discovered on Wednesday.

One stranded tourist said the center of Greek destination Skiathos is “underwater” and described the situation as “horrendously scary.”

FLASH FLOOD

A flash flood at a campsite in north-western Turkey near the border with Bulgaria killed at least five people, with three found dead on Wednesday, and carried away bungalow homes.

Rescuers were still searching for one person reported missing at the campsite.

Further away in Brazil, officials reported that 31 deaths were associated with flooding in the Rio Grande do Sul state. They came after landslides and flooding in Sao Paulo, which killed 50 earlier this year.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday he had spoken to Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite to offer the federal government’s full support for the state to “face this crisis.”

Weather forecaster Climatempo said that even though showers had stopped on Tuesday, they were due to return to Rio Grande do Sul on Wednesday and Thursday before dissipating by Sunday, with the state still on alert for floods.

It comes as the World Meteorological Organisation said that the northern hemisphere experienced “its hottest summer on record, fuelled by climate change.”

There is disagreement among experts about whether humans cause climate change, though the United Nations maintains most scientists support that assessment.

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