Two fisherman are missing in the Halkidiki peninsula amidst severe weather including strong rain and thunderstorms in the region.
The two men, aged 40 and 70, have been missing in Mikri Volvi Lake in northern Greece since Sunday morning, after the pair braved the strong winds in the area to collect their nets.
When there was no sign of their boat hours later, concerned relatives informed local authorities about the uncle and his nephew. A search team managed to successfully track down the boat, which was found overturned, but there was no trace of the two men.
As night fell the search was postponed, and was due to recommence on Monday morning.
Greece has been struck by barometric low ‘Theseus’, with winds reaching up to 9 Beaufort leaving shepherds, workers and motorists trapped in the snow, and villages without power. Meanwhile heavy rain has led to flooding, damaging infrastructure and thousands of acres of agricultural land, and affecting hundreds of animals.
The severe weather has also affected central Greece. The major coastal road in Agios Ioannis of Zagoria in Pelion collapsed, and according to local authorities was “due to the rough sea digging the subsoil”, while several rural roads have flooded due to heavy rainfall.
Search teams have rescued six workers at the dam of Almyros due to swelling waters, and another operation is due to launch on Monday to rescue a shepherd trapped in Neochororaki.
A number of municipalities in Magnisia, Thessaly and Trikala have applied to be declared a ‘state of emergency’.