The moment terrified woman clings to her car as it is swept away in devastating floods: One dead and thousands stranded as Athens is battered by biggest storm in 50 YEARS
Worldwide, Daily news | ankakh | February 23, 2013 8:18
AThe dramatic scenes unfolded as torrential rain led to flash flooding in the Greek capital, where one woman has died and thousands more people left stranded.
Two men climbed onto the roof of the silver 4×4 and pulled the driver to safety in northern suburb of Chalandri.
The woman had been clinging onto the side of the vehicle as it was carried away by flood muddy flood water more than a metre high.
Police said a 27-year-old woman died of a probable heart attack after being trapped in her car in Halandri, another suburb north of the capital.
The heavy rain is the worst seen in the recession-hit country for 50 years. It caused a river to burst its banks, bringing chaos to much of Athens during the morning rush hour.
There have also been power cuts across the city and public transport has been severely disrupted, with at least two subway stops being closed.
Meteorologist Yannis Kallianos told state television: ‘This is the worst storm since 1961. We’re talking about 52 years without ever having seen such a heavy downpour in this area,’
By mid-morning, rescue teams received at least 900 calls from residents whose houses were flooded and more than 90 calls from commuters marooned in their cars.
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