ATHENS, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Severe storms battering Greece have left one man dead and caused extensive flooding, infrastructure damage, and widespread disruption across multiple regions, particularly in Attica and the Aegean islands, authorities said on Thursday.
According to the Greek national news agency AMNA, the victim, a Polish man in his 50s, was found dead in the coastal town of Nea Makri, east of Athens. He had been living in a basement apartment when floodwaters inundated the area. As he attempted to escape, fast-moving floodwaters swept him away and trapped him beneath a vehicle.
The extreme weather system known as "Erminio" brought torrential rainfall, thunderstorms and gale-force winds to much of the country, with eastern Attica among the hardest-hit areas.
From Wednesday to early Thursday, the Fire Service reported receiving nearly 500 calls for assistance in the greater Athens area, mainly related to fallen trees and flooded properties. In 33 cases, crews carried out rescues of individuals trapped by floodwaters.
On the island of Poros, in southern Greece, cars were swept away after a bridge collapsed under the force of rushing water. Similar incidents were reported on Rhodes and other islands.
Maritime transport was also affected, as winds up to 9 on the Beaufort scale kept ships docked in many parts of the country.
Schools remained closed in many parts of the country, and authorities urged people to exercise caution as the severe weather persists, with strong winds expected to continue, particularly in northern areas, until Friday.
