Flooding in northwest Romania leaves at least 1 dead; dozens evacuated

BUCHAREST, Romania – Officials in Romania say flooding in the country's northwest has killed at least one person, damaged homes and forced emergency evacuations.

Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea said Wednesday that 42 people were forced from their homes, and 46 houses were inundated, after 18 communities were battered by heavy rains that began Monday evening and flooding in the region.

Roads were also submerged and some schools closed because of the floods.

Lucian Jacodi, a spokesman for the emergency services in the county of Salaj, said the body of a 60-year-old man was found Wednesday a day after he was swept away by rising floodwaters.

Oprea said 800 firefighters and police were helping in the flood efforts and a further 13,500 ministry employees were also mobilized.