Coffins were left scattered on an Italian mountainside following a landslide, and Greece has been hammered by floods as brutal storms rip through southern Europe.
In San Mauro Marchesato, Crotone, around 20 coffins ended up piling into a ravine after heavy rains destroyed part of the town’s old cemetery.
In footage from the scene, wooden wreckage was seen stacked below the cemetery, with floral garlands and framed images of individuals seen scattered amid the debris.
With around eight inches of rain falling in just 24 hours, a landslide was triggered in the town, destroying the lower part of the cemetery and some of its contents.
It comes just days after Italians were seen running for their lives after a tsunami-style storm surge flooded the streets of Sicily as the Mediterranean was battered by powerful Storm Harry.
Further south, in Glyfada, Greece, roads were turned into rivers as severe floods battered the popular holiday hotspot, also known as the unofficial capital of the Athens Riviera.
In one video posted on social media, muddy water can be seen sweeping down a street in Metsovou, dragging cars along with it.
The deadly weather also slammed the southern suburbs of Attica on Wednesday afternoon, claiming the life of a 56-year-old woman who was swept away by a rush of floodwater.
In San Mauro Marchesato, Crotone, around 20 coffins ended up piling into a ravine after heavy rains destroyed part of the town’s old cemetery
In footage from the scene, wooden wreckage was seen stacked below the cemetery, with floral garlands and framed images of individuals seen scattered amid the debris
In Glyfada, Greece, roads were turned into rivers as severe floods battered the popular holiday hotspot, also known as the unofficial capital of the Athens Riviera
A strong wave in Astros, Kynouria, Greece, swept away a coast guard who was on patrol
The woman had been returning from work at around 8pm when she attempted to cross a street in the Ano Glyfada area.
At the time, a torrent of water was rushing down from a mountainous region towards the local Cyril and Methodius street, and she was tragically dragged into the current and left trapped under a car.
Her neighbours frantically called the emergency services for assistance, but when firefighters reached the scene, the woman was already dead.
A resident of the area, who witnessed the devastating incident, told Protothema of the dramatic seconds in which the woman lost her life.
‘It was after 9 o’clock. She was going to cross the street to go to her house. She was swept away by the stream,’ they recalled.
‘She got stuck under the car, and we couldn’t save her. Only her little feet were visible under the car’.
Unfortunately, this was not the only fatality that occurred as a result of the torrential rain and heavy flooding.
In Astros, Kynouria, a 53-year-old coastguard, lost his life while on duty.
According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, the man was on foot patrol in the port area of the region, and while he was mooring boats, a powerful wave swept him away.
He suffered a serious head injury as a result of the impact and was pronounced dead after being pulled out of the water and taken to a local medical facility.
The National Observatory of Athens said the eight highest rainfalls across the country were recorded across Attica, the Eastern Peloponnese, and Evia.
By 8.00pm, Papagou recorded 5.7 inches, Taktikoupoli Trizinia, 5.1 inches, and Vyronas, almost 5 inches.
Nomismatokopio, Chalandri, Drosia, Ilioupoli, Maroussi, and Ampelokipoi were also hit hard by the bad weather.
On Thursday, the storm’s vortex is expected to shift eastward.
The Aegean islands are now under threat, with forecasts predicting ‘storm surges’ and hurricane-force winds reaching between 55mph and 63mph. Authorities remain on high alert as the front moves across the archipelago.
Elsewhere, snowfall and sub-zero temperatures swept across Northern Greece, with Western Macedonia under red alert since Wednesday.
Snow was reported in areas including Serres, Kilkis, Nevrokopi, Florina, Nikiforos, while sleet affected parts of Thessaloniki, Pella, Kilkis, Kavala, and Drama.
Early Thursday, temperatures dropped to -5C in Volakas, Nevrokopi, and Paranesti, -4C in Vlasti, -3C in Pontokerasia and -2°C in Drama.
Police in Western Macedonia imposed temporary traffic bans on heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 tons on several routes.
Snow chains are also mandatory on multiple sections of the road network, while school schedules have been adjusted in some areas.
It comes after powerful waves submerged roads and pavements in Italy, as sea foam appeared to reach the ground floors of nearby buildings.
Clips shared on social media showed the moment a towering storm-surge smashed straight into the harbour on the island of Lipari, off Sicily.
Footage shows massive waves striking Sicily on Tuesday night as the Mediterranean was battered by powerful Storm Harry
Sprawling waves are seen submerging roads and pavements
Locals can be seen running away and screaming as water turned streets into rivers
In Catania, huge waves caused serious damage at a high-end seafood restaurant
Other videos taken across Sicily showed the damage left behind by the storm surge, with debris and rubbish bags seen floating down the flooded streets
The white water flooded the surrounding streets instantly, while ferocious winds and even more waves continued to relentlessly tear through the shore.
In Catania, Sicily’s second-largest city, huge waves caused serious damage at a high-end seafood restaurant.
CCTV footage taken from inside the eatery showed how a powerful storm surge smashed into the windows of the Andrew’s Faro restaurant – shattering the glass and destroying everything in its path.
Other videos taken across the island showed the damage left behind by the storm surge, with debris and rubbish bags seen floating down the flooded streets.
Authorities issued red alerts across Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria as the storm unleashed gale-force winds, heavy rain and vicious storm surges.
In Sicily, wind gusts reached 74 miles per hour, while waves exceeded nine metres, forcing officials to order precautionary evacuations as conditions worsened.
In Catania, the sea surged past the five-metre mark.
Maritime conditions forced the suspension of all ferries to Sardinia and smaller islands, leaving scores of people stranded.
In the port city of Messina, conditions were so severe that a section of the seaside promenade collapsed entirely.
The island was expecting up to 11 inches of rain in just two days.
Some 190 people were evacuated from exposed areas across Sicily amid the threat of sudden surges and flooding.
Several towns have ordered the closure of schools, parks, and sports facilities, while firefighters have been working to help families evacuate their homes.
