5 people dead after torrential rains hit Greece

By Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS

Five people have died following extensive flooding since Monday caused by torrential rains in the southern Peloponnese region of Greece and in Thessaloniki in the north of Greece.

A state of emergency was declared in both Thessaloniki and the Peloponnese on Wednesday after the torrential rain had claimed the lives of four people. The body of the fifth person was discovered Saturday.

According to the local fire department, the 30-year-old drowned as he was trying to cross a stream near his house.

The floods have caused serious damage to farms, homes and had blocked all major highways.

A woman who was reported to have abandoned her car Monday night in Thessaloniki is still missing.