Like today: The deadly flood in Mandra

Exactly four years ago, on November 15, 2017, a sudden downpour hit Western Attica. Mandra faced most of the problems with the flood unfortunately turning into deadly.

Based on the number of dead, which reached 24, this is the third largest flood in Attica. The downpour started overnight, with residents stranded in their homes the next morning, with the rain not stopping. The muddy streams and the absence of flood defenses brought water, building materials and mud into the settlement after just two hours of rain, creating an unprecedented situation in the region of West Attica.

Elderly people and people trapped in their cars became the victims of the deadly flood. The account is tragic. The death toll rose to 24. Damage to homes and shops cost tens of millions of euros.

The autopsies showed damage to 1.064 buildings, of which 794 were residential, 126 business premises, eight public buildings and 136 warehouses and basements. The then Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras declared national mourning for the victims and the next day he went to the area.

A total of 21 defendants sat in the dock. Among them the former governor of Attica Rena Dourou, the former deputy governor of West Attica Giannis Vassilios, the then mayor of Mandra Ioanna Kriekouki, the then mayor of Elefsina George Tsoukalas, the then mayor of Megaraon prosecutorial investigation were faced with misdemeanor offenses.

In July 2021, the Athens Administrative Court of First Instance awarded compensation of 270.000 euros for mental pain to the family of an unfortunate 29-year-old who lost his life by drowning during the deadly floods.

The court also acknowledged the responsibility of the Attica Region, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection and the Greek Police. The responsibility of the Attica Region was that "it failed to carry out flood protection works and arrangements in the streams Soures and Agia Aikaterini in Mandra, Attica" something that contributed to the death of the 29-year-old and the other victims. The court also acknowledged responsibilities to the General Secretariat for Civil Protection as "it is the materially competent service for the preparation and execution of contingency plans from the occurrence of severe weather phenomena, including floods".

Also, in the same decision of the Court of First Instance, there was talk of omissions of the Greek Police because it did not draw up a special plan for dealing with danger in the region of West Attica and did not conduct a "preventive check for the passability of the road network at local - regional and national level."

The criminal part for the investigation of responsibilities is still in full swing, although the above decision is a station for other cases of compensation.