Severe flash floods hit Western Attica, Greece: 15 killed, several missing (video)

Flash floods turned roads into torrents of mud and debris on the Western outskirts of Athens on Wednesday, November 15, killing at least 15 people, inundating homes and blocking a section of a major highway.

The flooding came after a severe overnight storm at the areas of Mandra, Nea Peramos and Megara, in Western Attica. Roads turned into muddy rivers that carried away vehicles, while several walls from yards and low buildings collapsed, filling the streets with rubble. A section of the highway between Athens and Corinth was completely knocked out, with cars, trucks and buses trapped in an inundated underpass.

There are fears the death toll could rise further as rescue crews search for potentially missing people in flooded homes and streets. Floodwater carrying debris charged toward the coast, sinking fishing boats in a small harbor. Several people are being treated in hospital for various injuries, including hypothermia.

Judicial authorities ordered an immediate investigation into the deaths and material damage. Investigators will be looking into whether factors such as illegal construction might have contributed to the severity of the flooding.

The deaths came a day after authorities declared a state of emergency on the small Aegean Sea island of Symi due to torrential rainfall there that flooded homes and shops, swept vehicles into the sea and cut power after the local power station was flooded.

You may watch a drone footage capturing the extent of the disaster under Media below.