Adverse European weather leaves 23 dead

Heavy storms, landslides, flash floods and lightning have left at least 23 people dead across Europe.

Nine people died in eastern Turkey, including six who were killed in severe flooding in mountainous Agri province. Two more people are missing.

Six hikers died in Greece while trying to cross a river in the south of the country. They were in a group of 18 people swept away by a flood wave in the rain-swollen Lousios river. Prosecutors charged the hike's organisers with involuntary manslaughter.

In France, two divers and a yachtsman drowned yesterday off the western coast of Brittany in extreme weather. The yachtsman fell into the sea from his 21-metre boat in heavy seas. The two divers were part of a group of six who were caught up in strong waves.

In northern Bosnia, two 11-year-old children died after being struck by lightning on Saturday.

While in Germany, three construction workers building a windmill in the eastern state of Brandenburg were killed when lightning hit a tractor they were sheltering under.

In Russia, by contrast, meteorologists said today was the hottest May day in Moscow since records began with temperatures hitting 32.7 Celsius.

The city's electricity system shifted into emergency mode to cope with demand, largely from people using air conditioners.

Extreme weather, including drought, heavy storms, flooding and flash frost, has wreaked havoc across Europe this spring.

Aside from the human toll, it has also destroyed crops and damaged infrastructure in France, Spain, Poland, Bulgaria, Turkey and other countries.