A man and a woman are missing after a flood in Crete washed away their car.
The 50-year-old was found in the coastal village of Agia Pelagia, which is likely to be hardest hit as powerful storms caused devastating damage on Saturday.
Coast Guard disaster divers and firefighters were dispatched to search for a missing woman believed to be trapped in the vehicle.
Several cars were filmed floating in the sea near Agia Pelagia – located about 25 km northwest of Crete’s capital, Heraklion (Iraklio) – after rivers overflowed on Greece’s largest island.
Rescuers in the village of Agia Pelagia Photo: AP
Airport runways closed
Many roads in the city were flooded and Heraklion International Airport was closed due to underwater runways.
“No one can know when flights will resume,” airport manager Giorgos Pliakas told a local news agency.
Social media content shows huge crowds of people waiting for updates on delayed and canceled flights, and passengers describe the situation as “chaos” and “utter chaos”.
Meanwhile, fire crews have been inundated with calls to keep people safe or pump water from flood-damaged properties.
In the eastern city of Sithiya, four people were found trapped in two cars.
Local police said eight tourists and a guard were unable to leave the archaeological museum.
Another woman trapped in her car was also rescued, and concerns for the safety of those whose whereabouts are unknown have grown.
Agia Pelagia quay after a flash flood Photo: AP
Bad weather has ruined a popular tourist destination
About 165 miles (265 km) from Scythia, floodwaters hit homes in the western city of Chania.
A text message was sent to residents of Lasithi, in the eastern part of the island, telling them to stay at home.
During the search, firefighters were seen almost neck-deep in water as submerged vehicles were seen next to floating wreckage, including a refrigerator.
Crete Police have warned drivers of common road problems caused by bad weather.
