Deadly Floods Hit Northeastern Bulgaria

Bulgaria 

novinite

At least 12 people were killed in torrential rains and flooding in northeastern Bulgaria.

In the Black Sea resort city of Varna, heavy rainfall triggered a massive flood wave in the low-lying district of Asparuhovo, Reuters reports.

The rush of water swamped streets and houses with mud and debris and left cars mangled and stacked on top of each other like toys. Roads in and out of the suburb were blocked and tens of thousands were without electricity.

Interior Minister Tsvetlin Yovchev confirmed that ten bodies were recovered from in Varna and two more bodies were found in the northern city of Dobrich, where the River Suha burst its banks, according to the Associated Press.

CNN reports that dozens are still missing.

A state of emergency was declared in Asparuhovo and rescue workers were helping to relocate flood victims to temporary shelters. The Bulgarian Red Cross was on the scene providing providing drinking water, food and essential supplies to victims.

Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski, who arrived in Varna early Friday, called the flooding "a huge tragedy." The government declared Monday, June 23, a national day of mourning.

The national meteorological service said rainfall in eastern Bulgaria in the past 24 hours equaled the average amount for a month, and warned that more rain was expected.

In late May, at least 40 people were killed in the neighboring Balkan countries of Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia after the heaviest rainfall since records began 120 years ago triggered flooding.  weather.com