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Macedonia storm: At least 20 die overnight in freak deluge Macedonia storm: At least 20 die overnight in freak deluge
(about 1 hour later)
At least 20 people have died as storms caused Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, to flood. At least 20 people have died in floods that hit the Macedonian capital, Skopje, following torrential rain.
Their bodies were found before 8:30 (06:30 GMT) on Sunday, an official said. Six people are still missing. The victims' bodies were found on Sunday morning after the storm passed. Several people are still missing.
Some of the victims drowned in their cars. Parts of the city's ring road have been swept away in the floods, dragging cars into nearby fields. Some of the victims drowned in their cars. Parts of the city's ring road were swept away in the floods, dragging cars into nearby fields.
Three-and-a-half inches (93mm) of rain fell in Skopje in the storm - more than the average for the whole of August.Three-and-a-half inches (93mm) of rain fell in Skopje in the storm - more than the average for the whole of August.
The water level reached as high as five feet (1.5 metres) in some of the affected areas, reports said.
"Everything was a mess. Televisions, the fridge, the sofa, everything was floating... it was a nightmare," said Baze Spriovski, a 43-year-old from Singelic in the outskirts of Skopje.
Many homes remain flooded and without electricity; some are reported to have collapsed.
The Mayor of Skopje, Kove Trajanovski, said: "This is a disaster. We have never experienced such a thing."The Mayor of Skopje, Kove Trajanovski, said: "This is a disaster. We have never experienced such a thing."
Local media reported that ambulances were called out 65 times across Skopje, more than 20 people were treated in hospital, and the army were called in to help. "There were thunderbolts with lightning almost every second. It was really horrific," said Biljana Joneska, 62, in Skopje.
Three villages in the north-east of the country were cut off due to landslides. Local media reported that ambulances were called out 65 times across the city, more than 20 people were treated in hospital, and the army was called in to help.
Three villages in the north-east of the country were cut off because of landslides.
Police said about 70 vehicles were stuck because of one such incident between the villages of Stajkovci and Radisani.
Health authorities have advised residents in the worst hit areas to use only bottled water or water from public authority cisterns for drinking and cooking.
More rain is forecast for Sunday evening.More rain is forecast for Sunday evening.