Greek PM declares state of mourning as flood toll hits 15

15 November 2017, 7:34 pm

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Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is declaring a state of mourning after a freak overnight downpour with the force of a “waterfall” flooded three towns near Athens, killing at least 15 people.

“At this time, declaring a state of national mourning over this great tragedy is the least we can do,” Tsipras says in a televised address.

People walk past a wrecked car in a flooded street in the town of Mandra, northwest of Athens, on November 15, 2017, after heavy overnight rainfall in the area caused damage and left 15 people dead. (AFP PHOTO / Angelos Tzortzinis)

“I pledge that we will stand next to the families of the victims with all the means at our disposal,” he adds.

The flooding, described as the worst in 20 years, early on Wednesday struck the towns of Mandra, Nea Peramos and Megara, a semi-rural area west of Athens where many factories and warehouses are based.

— AFP