Messages of support pouring in as much of country under water
Ljubljana, 5 August - Croatia, Hungary and Montenegro have expressed condolences to the people of Slovenia and offered assistance as the country has been hit by the severest flash floods in decades, leaving thousands with damaged homes, and three persons dead. Assistance was also pledged by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Škofja Loka
The medieval town of Škofja Loka flooded as the Sora River burst its banks amid heavy rain.
Photo: Luka Krek/STA
"Heartbreaking to follow the devastation caused by colossal floods in Slovenia. The EU is by the side of the Slovenian people. We will mobilise support as needed," von der Leyen twitted. She also noted that European Crisis Management Commissioner Janez Lenarčič is currently in Slovenia.
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.
Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazović twitted that they are in contact with the Slovenian government and "ready to help with all available assistance to our friends".
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.
Today, he said that the damage is likely to exceed EUR 500 million.
He and Defence Minister Marjan Šarec assured yesterday 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.