Eight people remain trapped inside Samaria Gorge in Crete as torrential rain continues to make a rescue operation too dangerous, while severe flooding has caused extensive damage across the island.
An expanded Greek government delegation is travelling to Crete on Monday to assess the destruction and coordinate the response following several days of severe weather.
The delegation includes Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Dimas, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Evangelos Tournas, Deputy Rural Development and Food Minister Yiannis Andrianos, Deputy Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Kostas Katsafados, and Secretary General for Natural Disaster Recovery and State Aid Petros Kampouris.
The officials will meet with the Region of Crete and local authorities before visiting some of the worst affected areas, including Mylopotamos, Ierapetra and the Lassithi Plateau.
Eight remain trapped in Samaria Gorge
The eight people inside Samaria Gorge remain the immediate concern for emergency authorities.
Continuous rainfall has caused water levels and the flow of the stream running through the National Park to rise, preventing rescuers from safely reaching the group.
Authorities are expected to begin the operation once the weather conditions improve and the water levels begin to recede.
The gorge, one of Crete’s most famous natural landmarks, has been severely affected by the extreme weather.
Lassithi Plateau hit by major flooding
The Lassithi Plateau has suffered extensive flooding, with large areas covered by water and thick layers of mud.
Rural roads have sustained serious damage, while agricultural production has been badly affected.
Potato crops and other vegetables have suffered major losses, with some farmers and residents still unable to reach their properties to assess the full extent of the destruction.
The damage has left parts of the agricultural region facing major difficulties as authorities begin assessing the scale of the losses.
Zoniana faces severe destruction
The village of Zoniana in Mylopotamos has also been hit hard after a local river overflowed.
Floodwaters, mud and debris swept through the area, turning roads into torrents and causing significant damage to bridges, riverbanks and infrastructure.
Residents were forced to intervene to clear waterways and prevent further flooding from reaching the village.
Riverbank walls collapsed and sections of road subsided, while homes, yards and pavements were damaged or swept away.
The surrounding slopes of Psiloritis have also been affected, with reports that numerous animals were swept away by the floodwaters.
Schools closed as Crete deals with flooding
Authorities have also suspended in-person classes in several areas because of the continuing danger and damage to the road network.
All primary and secondary schools in the Municipality of Amari in Rethymno were closed on Monday, October 5, because of the adverse weather and transport difficulties.
Schools and kindergartens in the Municipal Units of Kouloukonas and Zoniana in Mylopotamos will also remain closed on Monday and Tuesday, October 5 and 6.
The closures are intended to protect students, teachers and other school staff while authorities assess conditions.
EU Copernicus service activated
The Greek authorities have activated the European Union’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service to assist with the response.
The service was activated for affected areas of the Region of Crete following severe weather that has struck the island since October 1.
Under the activation, satellite imagery will be used to produce mapping products and data showing the extent of flooding and damage.
The information will support emergency services, local authorities and other agencies involved in assessing the disaster and coordinating the response.
With further rain continuing to pose a risk, authorities are closely monitoring conditions across Crete while waiting for water levels to fall enough for rescue teams to safely reach those trapped in Samaria Gorge.
