Komotini: Driver Dies After Car Swept Away by River Waters

Alarm was raised among Komotini authorities when a car was swept away by fast-flowing river waters at an Irish-style crossing that had been closed due to severe weather. Latest reports confirm the driver has died. Thirteen firefighters responded immediately to the scene, assisted by the Komotini EMAK unit. The driver — a 55-year-old man from a local village — was located inside his vehicle just before 8 p.m. According to SKAI, EMAK teams identified the submerged car, but due to hazardous conditions and extremely high water levels, recovery of the body remains ongoing. Local police confirmed the crossing had been preemptively closed with warning cones, yet the driver reportedly ignored them in an attempt to cross. The incident occurred near Hephaestus, just outside Komotini, where heavy rain since morning caused the Vozevozi River to swell violently. The Komotini Fire Service launched search operations after a local resident reported seeing a car attempt the crossing before being swept away. Deputy Regional Governor of Rhodope Manolis Tapatzas stated: ‘Unfortunately, our fellow citizen attempted to cross the prohibited crossing in a passenger vehicle.’ He noted this is the second such incident in a short period.