Deadly floods in Albania after days of torrential rain hit region

1. News
2. World
3. Europe

The rainfall caused the Vjosa and Seman rivers to burst their banks

On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents

Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents

Get a weekly international news dispatch

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

At least one person has died after days of torrential rain brought heavy flooding across Albania, police said Saturday.

Conditions remain difficult in rural regions, including the southern village of Dushar, where 30 families are reportedly stranded because flooding has made access roads impassable.

Police said the body of a 76-year-old woman was found after water levels receded in the flooded southeastern municipality of Devoll. Her son had reported her missing and a search conducted by soldiers on Friday failed to find her. Authorities believe she may have been swept away by strong currents.

The rainfall caused the Vjosa and Seman rivers to burst their banks and flood large tracts of agricultural land. The Vjosa river runs through southern Albania while the Seman flows through the low-lying Myzeqeja plain.

The Civil Protection Agency said that in the northwestern Lezha region some 220 hectares (544 acres) of land remain submerged. Video posted online showed flooded homes and agricultural land, with farmers saying that their crops have sustained extensive damage.

Defense Minister Pirro Vengu on Saturday inspected flooded areas in the country's southern Sarande District to assess the damage.

There are concerns conditions could worsen as more rain is forecast in the coming days, with Civil Emergency Teams remaining on standby.

More about

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Most popular

Popular videos

Bulletin

Read next