Storms ravage Eastern Europe

Heavy overnight storms in Eastern Europe have left at least nine people dead and dozens injured.

Poland was the hardest hit with seven reported deaths as winds reached speeds of 130 kilometres an hour. Trees were uprooted and powerlines toppled, leaving thousands without electricity.

The storm showed no mercy for rooftops and buildings. However, it will be the human cost that will be the most difficult to come to terms with.

Officials say most people died as a result of fallen trees. The victims included a 24-year-old pregnant woman crushed to death while she was in her car. Some 17 people in the west of Poland were also electrocuted when a power line came down.

Elsewhere, a wide swathe of the Czech Republic and Austria felt the brunt of the storms’ wrath.

Officials in the Czech Republic say two people were found dead, including a 75-year-old woman who was hit by a tree in a park. Several other people were also badly injured, while many train services were also brought to a halt.

Austria also saw large-scale flooding and devastation.

The storms follow a heatwave in Eastern Europe during which temperatures peaked at 34 degrees.
Weather experts say they expect further turbulent weather to come.

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tags: Austria, Czech Republic, Natural disasters