Ten people have died in Central Greece and another four are missing in specifically in Volos and Mt. Pilio because of the storm, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said on Friday.
The minister said that authorities are on alert about the Pinios River in Larissa, also in central Greece, whose overflooding already affected the village of Yiannouli and the town of Tyrnavos. Sections of Larissa were also flooded. Kikilias said that flooding phenomena may become more intense.
Kikilias strongly rejected rumours that claimed the government's interventions in the area created a redirection of the river waters and called on people to "be careful with fake news that relates to human lives."
"Overall, because of the Daniel storm, 10 of our fellow citizens have unfortunately lost our lives, while there are also four missing people in the regions of Volos and Pilio, and we hope they are well, just as yesterday's missing in the region of Agia Triadha was found safe and sound," Kikilias said.
The minister said that since the vast rescue and evacuation operation by air and land began two days ago at the 14 villages, 296 rescues have been carried out by the Fire Brigade and Armed Forces helicopters.
"Of these fellow citizens, 150 needed immediate medical attention, which was provided to them," he noted.
As Kikilias noted, 1,700 people have been rescued in total while 20 helicopters - from the Fire Brigade (9), the Armed Forces (7), the Hellenic Police (1) and from Switzerland's firefighters who were in Greece to fight fires (3). The latter three are being used to distribute food and water to flood-trapped villages.
The minister explained that the Fire Brigade's and Armed Forces' air support could only operate after midday Thursday due to ongoing extreme weather and heavy lightning activity. As during last night, rescues by air and boats will continue again through Friday night, he said, helped by 1,000 rescuers from Civil Protection and the Armed Forces.
Kikilias also thanked rescuers of the Fire Brigade and the Army "who struggle in the flood waters for hours, helping trapped and isolated fellow citizens, and a great 'bravo' to volunteers in villages who help with their means, showing humanitarianism and solidarity."
Larissa
On Friday, an emergency alert 112 was sent to residents of the Ippokratis neighbourhood in Larissa, central Greece, to evacuate to the city's centre and Alcazar park because of flooding from the Pinios river.
The city has been on alert at least Thursday when the city authorities warned businesses and farmers near the river to evacuate for fear that the accumulating water will rise even more.
The city, which has seen floods in the past, had warned residents of the Larissa section of Yannouli to evacuate by themselves or, with the help of the Fire Brigade, to move to higher floors or the Stadium of Neapoli.
It also warned residents of the district of Agios Thomas, where water overflowed from street drains into the ground floors of homes. Some residents had to be evacuated by the Fire Brigade to leave their homes, head toward Filippoupoli, or move to higher floors.
READ MORE: TRIKALA: "We went through wars, famine, but for the first time, we drowned," says 104-year-old yiayia.
