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Flash floods kill 15, leave 6 missing in Macedonia

Sunday, 07 August 2016 10:16 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 07 August 2016 10:21 AM ]

Residents of Macedonia's capital of Skopje wade through flood waters on August 7, 2016.

At least 15 people in Macedonia have lost their lives after flash floods accompanied by fierce storms slammed into the country’s capital of Skopje, police say.

“As of 8:30 this morning (0630 GMT), we have discovered 15 victims (of the storms). Our teams are still searching for other possible victims,” Liza Bendevska, Macedonia’s police spokeswoman, said on Sunday.

Six people were also reported missing.

The massive downpour inundated large parts of Skopje, blocking roads leading to the city’s downtown.

Police said cars were underwater and the ring road around the Macedonian capital had been severely damaged by the floods, with some of the city’s suburbs hit hard by winds blowing at more than 70 kilometers (43 miles) an hour.

According to local media, the situation in Stajkovci, north of the capital, appears to be the worst as dozens of homes have been flooded and many vehicles are seen overturned.

Stajkovci residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes.

Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov has called on police and the army to join forces in helping with setting barriers along several rivers to ensure that residents remain safe.

“This is a disaster, we have never experienced such a thing,” said Koce Trajanovski, the Skopje’s mayor.

Violent storms also lashed the Macedonian northwestern city of Tetovo, causing damage to property. No casualties were reported.

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