Grèce: une violente tornade a tué au moins 7 touristes et fait 23 blessés

De violents orages de grêle et une tornade ont tué au moins 7 touristes étrangers, dont deux enfants, et fait 23 en Thessalonique. Au moins 140 pompiers ont participé aux opérations de sauvetage. La Chalcidique (nord de la Grèce) a été déclarée en état d’urgence.
Monde
11 juil. 2019, 07:12
/ Màj. le 11 juil. 2019 à 20:57
Cette voiture retournée sur la plage de Sozopoli, au nord de la Grèce, témoigne de la violence des vents.
Cette voiture retournée sur la plage de Sozopoli, au nord de la Grèce, témoigne de la violence des vents.
KEYSTONE

Au moins sept personnes, dont deux enfants, ont péri lors d'une violente tornade accompagnée de grêle qui s'est abattue mercredi soir sur les stations balnéaires bondées de Chalcidique, dans le nord de la Grèce. Vingt-trois personnes ont été blessées.

"En cinq minutes, nous avons vécu l'enfer", a déclaré Haris Lazaridis, propriétaire de la taverne de Nea Plagia. Une Roumaine de 54 ans et son fils de 8 ans y ont été tués quand le toit du restaurant a été emporté par les bourrasques.

 

 

Les restaurants et les bars du bord de plage étaient bondés en ce début de saison estivale et d'un coup, "la panique": "la plupart des gens ont crié ou ont couru se cacher à l'intérieur", poursuit le restaurateur. Une centaine de personnes se trouvaient là quand la mère a été écrasée par le toit en bois et son garçon soulevé par les vents violents avant de retomber sur la vitrine en verre.

Vingt minutes

La tornade n'a duré qu'une vingtaine de minutes vers 22h00 (21h00 en Suisse). Cette région touristique très prisée, où l'état d'urgence a été déclaré, présentait pourtant jeudi matin un paysage de désolation, avec de nombreuses voitures retournées, des arbres déracinés, des coulées de boue, des transats et parasols transformés en projectiles meurtriers, a constaté un correspondant de l'AFP.

 

 

Deux touristes tchèques, deux Roumains et deux Russes ont été tués et au moins une trentaine de personnes blessées lors de ce "phénomène sans précédent", selon Charalambos Stériadis, responsable de la Protection civile dans le nord de la Grèce. Un septième corps a été retrouvé. Il s'agit de celui d'un pêcheur sexagénaire porté disparu mercredi soir et reconnu par sa famille.

Parmi les 23 blessés encore hospitalisés, cinq enfants dont une adolescente serbe de 13 ans. Une femme de 72 ans se trouvait dans un état critique aux urgences de Thessalonique, la deuxième ville du pays.

Vents supérieurs à 100 km/h

Le porte-parole du gouvernement Stelios Petsas a indiqué jeudi que la région avait été frappée par des vents supérieurs à 100 km/h. "C'est un miracle qu'il n'y ait pas plus de morts", a déclaré un vacancier de 39 ans, Kyriakos Athanasiadis. "Presque tous les restaurants de bord de mer étaient pleins et on voyait voler beaucoup de gros objets, c'était terrible", a ajouté ce Grec en congés à Nea Triglia.

 

 

Un Russe et son fils de 2 ans ont été tués par la chute d'un arbre dans un hôtel de la station balnéaire de Kassandra, selon une source policière. A Sozopoli, autre village balnéaire bondé en cette saison, un couple de septuagénaires tchèques a péri quand leur caravane s''est renversée. Leur fils de 48 ans et leur petit-fils de 19 ans, ont été blessés.

Le nouveau Premier ministre Kyriakos Mitsotakis, élu dimanche, a annulé tous ses rendez-vous jeudi pour gérer cette catastrophe, a indiqué son bureau. De son côté, le ministre de la protection du citoyen, Michalis Chrisochoidis, a exprimé sa "peine au nom de tous". "Nous pleurons la perte de ces âmes", a déclaré le ministre, qui supervise sur place les opérations de secours, auxquelles participent au moins 140 pompiers.

 

 

Cette tornade est survenue alors que la Grèce est frappée depuis deux jours par des températures étouffantes atteignant les 37°C. L'observatoire national grec a enregistré plus de 5000 éclairs mercredi soir dans tous le pays.

epa07709471 Destroyed chairs and umbrellas are seen after heavy storms hit Nea Plagia, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS
epa07709471 Destroyed chairs and umbrellas are seen after heavy storms hit Nea Plagia, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS ©KEYSTONE
People search and clean after a storm at Sozopoli village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece, Thursday, July 11, 2019. A search and rescue operation is underway in northern Greece for a fisherman missing after a powerful storm left six people dead, including two children, and injured more than 100. (Vassilis Konstantopoulos/InTime News via AP)
People search and clean after a storm at Sozopoli village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece, Thursday, July 11, 2019. A search and rescue operation is underway in northern Greece for a fisherman missing after a powerful storm left six people dead, including two children, and injured more than 100. (Vassilis Konstantopoulos/InTime News via AP) ©KEYSTONE
People search and clean a damaged square after a storm at Sozopoli village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece, Thursday, July 11, 2019. A search and rescue operation is underway in northern Greece for a fisherman missing after a powerful storm left six people dead, including two children, and injured more than 100. (Vassilis Konstantopoulos/InTime News via AP)
People search and clean a damaged square after a storm at Sozopoli village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece, Thursday, July 11, 2019. A search and rescue operation is underway in northern Greece for a fisherman missing after a powerful storm left six people dead, including two children, and injured more than 100. (Vassilis Konstantopoulos/InTime News via AP) ©KEYSTONE
People search and clean a beach after a storm at Sozopoli village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece, Thursday, July 11, 2019. A search and rescue operation is underway in northern Greece for a fisherman missing after a powerful storm left six people dead, including two children, and injured more than 100. (Vassilis Konstantopoulos/InTime News via AP)
People search and clean a beach after a storm at Sozopoli village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece, Thursday, July 11, 2019. A search and rescue operation is underway in northern Greece for a fisherman missing after a powerful storm left six people dead, including two children, and injured more than 100. (Vassilis Konstantopoulos/InTime News via AP) ©KEYSTONE
Workers check the damages at a gas station after a storm at Nea Potidea village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece, Thursday, July 11, 2019. A search and rescue operation is underway in northern Greece for a fisherman missing after a powerful storm left six people dead, including two children, and injured more than 100. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP)
Workers check the damages at a gas station after a storm at Nea Potidea village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece, Thursday, July 11, 2019. A search and rescue operation is underway in northern Greece for a fisherman missing after a powerful storm left six people dead, including two children, and injured more than 100. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP) ©KEYSTONE
epa07709468 Destroyed boats, chairs and umbrellas are seen after heavy storms hit Nea Plagia, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS
epa07709468 Destroyed boats, chairs and umbrellas are seen after heavy storms hit Nea Plagia, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS ©KEYSTONE
epa07709470 Destroyed chairs and umbrellas are seen after heavy storms hit Nea Plagia, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS
epa07709470 Destroyed chairs and umbrellas are seen after heavy storms hit Nea Plagia, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS ©KEYSTONE
epa07709469 Destroyed chairs and umbrellas are seen after heavy storms hit Nea Plagia, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS
epa07709469 Destroyed chairs and umbrellas are seen after heavy storms hit Nea Plagia, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS ©KEYSTONE
epa07709244 A police officer inspects damaged caravan of two elderly Czech tourists who were killed when strong winds and water swept away vehicle, in Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Two more deaths were recorded in Nea Potidea, where a tree fell on a 39-year-old Russian and his son, about two years old, living in a hotel unit in the area. In total six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS
epa07709244 A police officer inspects damaged caravan of two elderly Czech tourists who were killed when strong winds and water swept away vehicle, in Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Two more deaths were recorded in Nea Potidea, where a tree fell on a 39-year-old Russian and his son, about two years old, living in a hotel unit in the area. In total six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS ©KEYSTONE
epa07709246 A police officer cordons off motorcycles and the damaged caravan of two elderly Czech tourists who were killed when strong winds and water swept away vehicle, in Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Two more deaths were recorded in Nea Potidea, where a tree fell on a 39-year-old Russian and his son, about two years old, living in a hotel unit in the area. In total six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS
epa07709246 A police officer cordons off motorcycles and the damaged caravan of two elderly Czech tourists who were killed when strong winds and water swept away vehicle, in Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Two more deaths were recorded in Nea Potidea, where a tree fell on a 39-year-old Russian and his son, about two years old, living in a hotel unit in the area. In total six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS ©KEYSTONE
epa07709245 The damaged caravan of two elderly Czech tourists who were killed when strong winds and water swept away vehicle, in Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Two more deaths were recorded in Nea Potidea, where a tree fell on a 39-year-old Russian and his son, about two years old, living in a hotel unit in the area. In total six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS
epa07709245 The damaged caravan of two elderly Czech tourists who were killed when strong winds and water swept away vehicle, in Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Two more deaths were recorded in Nea Potidea, where a tree fell on a 39-year-old Russian and his son, about two years old, living in a hotel unit in the area. In total six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS ©KEYSTONE
epa07709308 A woman walks among chairs and umbrellas that strong winds and water swept away in Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS
epa07709308 A woman walks among chairs and umbrellas that strong winds and water swept away in Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS ©KEYSTONE
epa07709306 Two employees pull chairs and umbrellas that strong winds and water swept away in Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS
epa07709306 Two employees pull chairs and umbrellas that strong winds and water swept away in Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS ©KEYSTONE
epa07709309 A fireman cuts a tree that strong winds swept away in Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS
epa07709309 A fireman cuts a tree that strong winds swept away in Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS ©KEYSTONE
epa07709307 A farmer inspects a damaged greenhouse that strong winds swept away in Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS
epa07709307 A farmer inspects a damaged greenhouse that strong winds swept away in Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS ©KEYSTONE
epa07709343 A man repairs damage after heavy storms hit Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS
epa07709343 A man repairs damage after heavy storms hit Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS ©KEYSTONE
epa07709344 A damaged car after heavy storms hit Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS
epa07709344 A damaged car after heavy storms hit Sozopolis, Chalkidiki, northern Greece, 11 July 2019. Six foreign nationals, including two children, were killed after extreme weather conditions that struck Chalkidiki late night of 10 July 2019. EPA/VERVERIDIS VASSILIS ©KEYSTONE
An overturned vehicle is seen on a beach at Sozopoli village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece on Thursday, July 11, 2019. Two people were killed when high winds overturned their recreational vehicle. A powerful storm hit the northern Halkidiki region late Wednesday. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP)
An overturned vehicle is seen on a beach at Sozopoli village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece on Thursday, July 11, 2019. Two people were killed when high winds overturned their recreational vehicle. A powerful storm hit the northern Halkidiki region late Wednesday. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP) ©KEYSTONE
An overturned vehicle is seen on a beach at Sozopoli village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece, Thursday, July 11, 2019. A powerful storm hit northern Greece late Wednesday. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP)
An overturned vehicle is seen on a beach at Sozopoli village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece, Thursday, July 11, 2019. A powerful storm hit northern Greece late Wednesday. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP) ©KEYSTONE
A man rides a bicycle among debris after a storm at Nea Plagia village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece, Thursday, July 11, 2019. A powerful storm hit the northern Halkidiki region late Wednesday. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP) (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP)
A man rides a bicycle among debris after a storm at Nea Plagia village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece, Thursday, July 11, 2019. A powerful storm hit the northern Halkidiki region late Wednesday. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP) (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP) ©KEYSTONE
Two men search in debris after a storm at Nea Plagia village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece on Thursday, July 11, 2019. A powerful storm hit the northern Halkidiki region late Wednesday, toppling trees and power pylons, cutting power and blocking roads. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP)
Two men search in debris after a storm at Nea Plagia village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece on Thursday, July 11, 2019. A powerful storm hit the northern Halkidiki region late Wednesday, toppling trees and power pylons, cutting power and blocking roads. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP) ©KEYSTONE
Debris are seen after a storm on a beach at Vergia village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece on Thursday, July 11, 2019. A powerful storm hit the northern Halkidiki region late Wednesday. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP)
Debris are seen after a storm on a beach at Vergia village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece on Thursday, July 11, 2019. A powerful storm hit the northern Halkidiki region late Wednesday. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP) ©KEYSTONE
People look a damaged restaurant after a storm at Nea Plagia village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece on Thursday, July 11, 2019. A child and his mother died when they hit by the outdoor restaurant's lean-to roof that collapsed. A powerful storm hit the northern Halkidiki region late Wednesday. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP)
People look a damaged restaurant after a storm at Nea Plagia village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece on Thursday, July 11, 2019. A child and his mother died when they hit by the outdoor restaurant's lean-to roof that collapsed. A powerful storm hit the northern Halkidiki region late Wednesday. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP) ©KEYSTONE
A la une
Ma une
Favoris