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Nine people are killed by flash floods in Odesa following torrential rainfall in southern Ukraine

Emergency services reported that flash floods had killed nine people, including five members of a family, in Odesa, Ukraine, following a torrential day of rain.

The service posted images of cars being pulled out of the water and pictures showing passengers being lifted off a bus that was flooded.

The service reported that "nine people, including an infant, have been confirmed dead".

Maryna Averina, spokesperson of the Odesa emergency services for the region, told Ukrainian TV that a family of five living in a lower ground-floor flat were unable to leave the building.

Averina said that three more women were killed while walking on a road.

Hennadiy Trunkanov, the Mayor of Odesa, said earlier on Telegram that "in just seven hours Odesa received almost two months worth of rain." "No stormwater system can handle such a load."

Governor Oleh Kiper stated that torrential rains had now been falling for the second day in the region. This has caused flooding, power outages, damage to property, and trees to fall.

He said that over 500 workers had been involved in the rescue efforts. He said that 42,000 customers from 32 villages and towns were still without power. Reporting by Lidia Kelley and Anna Pruchnicka, Editing by Kim Coghill Clarence Fernandez Alexandra Hudson

(source: Reuters)