Floods kill 16 in Romania, Ukraine

At least 16 people have died in western Ukraine and northern Romania, the BBC says. At the same time, severe storms and flooding have forced thousands to abandon their homes. Floods kill 16 in Romania, Ukraine Thirteen of those who died, including five children, were in Ukraine. Hundreds of towns and villages on both sides of the border have been left without electricity and many bridges have been damaged. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who has been visiting the affected region, declared it a disaster area. Persistent heavy rain near the Prut and Dniestr rivers caused floods that damaged more than 21,000 houses, and forced up to 8,000 people to leave their homes in Ukraine, the emergency ministry said. In Romania, about 9,000 people from 200 villages were rescued, Reuters news agency reports.

Floods kill 16 in Romania, Ukraine

Thirteen of those who died, including five children, were in Ukraine.

Hundreds of towns and villages on both sides of the border have been left without electricity and many bridges have been damaged.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, who has been visiting the affected region, declared it a disaster area.

Persistent heavy rain near the Prut and Dniestr rivers caused floods that damaged more than 21,000 houses, and forced up to 8,000 people to leave their homes in Ukraine, the emergency ministry said.

In Romania, about 9,000 people from 200 villages were rescued, Reuters news agency reports.