Severe flooding across Serbia has prompted the evacuation of at least
16,300 people, including 1,100 whisked away on helicopters -- the
government said Saturday.
A spokesman for the
Interior Ministry confirmed there have been at least 15 deaths in Serbia
and another five in neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina. Unconfirmed reports
put the numbers even higher.
It's the worst flooding Serbia has seen since the country began keeping records 120 years ago, according to meteorologists.
The catastrophic weather
has prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency in
Bosnia-Herzegovina, according to a government statement. Bosnian
authorities say the flooded town of Maglaj received the average rainfall
for a two-month period in less than two days.
Speaking at a press
conference, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said that the
situation in his country is "difficult," but that Serbia is prepared for
the next wave of floods.
More rising waters are
expected Sunday evening near Sabac, a city in western Serbia near the
Sava River. Vucic said that Sabac is well fortified and that authorities
had done "everything that could be done."
The Prime Minister
pointed out that a dam 7.3 meters tall (24 feet) has been erected, but
that the current level of the Sava River is over 6.3 meters -- a
historic high. The river is expected to rise. He warned that it is
difficult to predict what will happen if the river reaches 6.8 meters,
or slightly more than 22 feet.
Rescuers in the hard-hit
town of Obrenovac, 30 kilometers (about 19 miles) southwest of Belgrade,
have recovered the first bodies of flood victims, according to Vucic.
He expressed concern over how many may eventually be found once waters
subside. Authorities estimate that 90% of the town has been flooded.
The Prime Minister
thanked the many countries that have already come to Serbia's aid. He
was especially grateful to members of the Russian special forces,
highlighting one member who swam 200 meters in cold water to save
several people.
According to Finance Minister Dusan Vujovic, more than
10,000 troops have already been involved in rescue and assistance
operations.
Source: CNN
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