Flash flood-related casualties jump to 6 in Slovenia

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) – Two more bodies of victims of the flash floods in Slovenia have been found, bringing the total number of fatalities to six, according to the media reports.

The latest deaths occurred over the weekend when a man was killed when he fell during the floods and another was found floating in the swollen Temenica River, the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) reported.

Hans Kluge, the regional director of the World Health Organization, extended his condolences to Slovenia amid devastating floods.

"Once-erratic weather patterns are the new normal in the Europe region," Kluge said Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

- EU, NATO assistance

To assist Slovenia in dealing with flood damage, France will send two excavators with engineering units, and Germany will also provide support by sending two prefabricated bridges, two excavators, and necessary personnel, the European Commission said on Monday.

The Copernicus Emergency Management Service of the EU has produced several maps of the affected areas, the commission said, adding that a liaison officer from the EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre is already present on site.

After talking with Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob over the phone, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Monday on X that allies have stepped up support to Slovenia by providing helicopters, modular bridges, and engineering expertise.

Golob said Saturday that the damage caused by flash floods is likely to exceed €500 million ($549 million) as the country is facing the worst natural disaster in its history.

The government decided to ask the European Commission for aid from the European Solidarity Fund due to the disaster.