Nine Killed In Southern Ukraine Floods

Nine people have been confirmed dead after heavy floods swept through the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa following hours of torrential rain, emergency officials said on Wednesday.

Among the victims was a family of five who were trapped in their ground-floor apartment and could not escape as floodwaters rose through their building.

According to regional emergency services spokesperson, Maryna Averina, three other women also lost their lives while walking along a flooded road.

The State Emergency Service reported that rescue teams worked through the night to evacuate more than 360 people, pumping water out of homes and stranded vehicles.

Reuters reports that images shared online showed passengers being pulled out of a submerged bus and cars being dragged from the water.

“In just seven hours, Odesa received nearly two months’ worth of rainfall. No drainage system can withstand such pressure,” Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov wrote on Telegram.

Regional Governor Oleh Kiper confirmed that the downpour continued into Wednesday, leaving roads impassable, damaging property, bringing down trees, and causing widespread power cuts.

He said about 42,000 residents across 32 communities in the region remained without electricity.

More than 500 emergency workers have been deployed to aid in rescue and relief efforts.

The devastating floods add to the mounting humanitarian and infrastructure challenges facing Ukraine as it grapples with both natural disasters and the ongoing war with Russia.