Two young tourists were stranded in the stream of Promponas in Patisia district of Athens Municipality after a rainfall brought the stream into swelling on Friday. They were rescued in an operation staged by the Fire Service.
Trapped in the water tunnel where they sought refuge from the rushing waters were a young man from Scotland and a woman from Lithuania. It was their friend, a young Frenchman who did not follow them in the stream and alerted authorities when he saw them in dangerous situation.
Firefighters rushed to the scene with 4 vehicles and 11 firefighters including teams of the Fire Service Rescuers and launched an operation with ropes to bring the couple in safety.
The rescue operation lasted some 40 minutes, the tourists are in good health.
The three tourists had gone hiking in the area, just a few kilometers from the center of Greek capital Athens, ANT1 TV reported.
Early Friday afternoon, there was no rain in Patisia, but a short, strong storm in the northern suburbs of Athens. The rainfall caused the water level of Promponas stream to swell.
other sources: in.gr, newsit.gr
