Death toll rises to 23 as storm ‘Boris’ passes through central and eastern Europe

September 18 () –

The death toll from flooding caused by storm Boris in several central European countries has risen to 23 as the storm moves towards Italy, according to the latest assessments released by authorities in Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania.

Czech police confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that there have now been four deaths in the country after rescue services recovered the lifeless body of a 70-year-old woman who had been missing since the weekend in the town of Kobylá nad Vidnavkou, near the border with Poland.

The region, located near the mountainous area bordering Polish territory, has been severely affected by torrential rains in recent days. The Czech Ministry of Defence said in a statement that more than 300 soldiers have been deployed to provide support to the population and to start measures to repair bridges damaged by the storm.

Across the border, Polish authorities have confirmed the death of a total of seven people, including one in the town of Klodzko, although rescue services say there are no missing people at least for the time being. However, preliminary reports suggest the death toll in this area could be as high as ten.

The country has also seen acts of vandalism and looting of shops and businesses amid the storm, prompting Prime Minister Donald Tusk to step up security and travel to the south of the country to oversee measures put in place to alleviate the crisis.

Although the situation in Austria seems to be improving, the authorities have also had to raise the death toll to five, while the government has announced aid worth 45 million euros for reconstruction work. In total, 1,400 buildings have had to be evacuated and 87 people have been airlifted to safety.

In Romania, where seven people have died, the situation remains stable for the moment, despite the government having declared a state of alert in Galatsi County and other areas hit by the storm.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has expressed his solidarity with those affected by both the floods and the forest fires that have been raging in central and northern Portugal for several days, leaving at least five people dead.

“Extreme weather events are leaving a deadly trail of destruction across Europe (…) We need climate action that matches the intensity and urgency of the crisis,” he said.