This Article is From Feb 01, 2015

Authorities Evacuate People as Flash Floods Hit Greece

Authorities Evacuate People as Flash Floods Hit Greece

Huge waves hit a promenade at Floisvos suburb, Athens on Sunday. (Associated Press)

Athens:

Flash floods caused by heavy rains have submerged large areas in northwestern Greece, forcing authorities to evacuate hundreds of people from several villages in the Epirus region.

At least four rivers have overflowed their banks. Near the city of Arta, a famous 18th-century stone bridge was destroyed by the flooding. No one was reported injured.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was at the Fire Brigade's emergency command center in Athens, where he urged experts from the Infrastructure and Culture ministries to go to the flooded area and inspect the roads and monuments at risk there.

Mr Tsipras said he was "very sad" to hear of the Plaka Bridge's collapse.

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