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Freak floods kill 20 in Macedonia

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Freak floods kill 20 in Macedonia
Flood macedonia
Some people died in their cars during the floods Photo EPA

At least 20 people have died as storms caused Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, to flood.

Their bodies were found before 8:30 (06:30 GMT) on Sunday, an official said. Six people are still missing.

Some of the victims drowned in their cars. Parts of the city’s ring road have been swept away in the floods, dragging cars into nearby fields.

Three-and-a-half inches (93mm) of rain fell in Skopje in the storm – more than the average for the whole of August.

a lorry on its side in a field, with two cars that have carved a path further in to the field
Photo: EPA
man walking across makeshift walkway of wooden plans through floodwater, 7 August 2016
Photo: EPA
a pile of cars that has crashed together between some houses, 7 August 2016
Photo: EPA
boy running through floodwater next to abandoned car in busy street
Photo: EPA
cars stuck in the mud next to flooded ring road
Photo: EPA

The Mayor of Skopje, Kove Trajanovski, said: “This is a disaster. We have never experienced such a thing.”

Local media reported that ambulances were called out 65 times across Skopje, more than 20 people were treated in hospital, and the army were called in to help.

Three villages in the north-east of the country were cut off due to landslides.

More rain is forecast for Sunday evening.

Map of Macedonia, showing location of capital Skopje

 

 

Source: BBC

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