Messages of support pouring in as much of country under water
Ljubljana, 5 August - Croatia and Hungary, Slovenia's neighbours, have expressed condolences to the people of Slovenia as the country has been hit by the severest flash floods in decades, leaving thousands with severely damaged homes, and three persons dead.
Škofja Loka
The medieval town of Škofja Loka flooded as the Sora River burst its banks amid heavy rain.
Photo: Luka Krek/STA
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković offered Slovenia assistance and Hungarian President Katalin Novak said Budapest is always ready to help when necessary.
"I have phoned Prime Minister Robert Golob to express my condolences for the three people who died in the devastating storm in Slovenia. I underlined Croatia's readiness to provide all necessary assistance to the Slovenian people," Plenković twitted on Friday.
Similarly, Novak said on the X platform that she is deeply shaken by the catastrophic situation caused by the flash floods and landslides which hit on Thursday evening.
"Dear President Nataša Pirc Musar, my thoughts and prayers are with you and everyone involved. I hope that you will be able to bring the situation under control as soon as possible," said Novak.
As Prime Minister Golob said on Friday evening, the current floods are the natural disaster that has probably caused the biggest damage to the country since independence.
He and Defence Minister Marjan Šarec assured that all available disaster relief and rescue teams are on the ground, while the country intends to accept some of the assistance offered by other countries and the EU.
The government is meeting for an emergency session at 1pm to discuss disaster relief and change disaster relief legislation, before which the National Security Council will be in session as well.