Deadly floods hit Rhodes and Evia as Greece battles record rains

Rhodes and Evia were severely impacted by a fast-moving storm that delivered over 200 mm of rain in less than two days, a volume normally accumulated over months. The deluge claimed the life of a 62-year-old hotel worker on Rhodes, who was found dead after trying to save his car. In Evia, rivers burst their banks, roads were split, and critical bridges were damaged, forcing a temporary state of emergency for multiple municipalities.

Schools on Rhodes remain closed, and sporadic lighter showers are expected later in the week. Volunteer teams from the local labor centre helped pump water from homes and businesses, while the Ministry of Labor imposed a brief lockdown for safety. The disaster highlights ongoing challenges for Greece's tourism sector and infrastructure amid climate-related extreme weather.