A powerful storm swept across Romania’s capital, Bucharest, and 20 counties yesterday, leaving one person dead and causing widespread damage. Emergency services said nearly 2,000 calls for assistance were received in Bucharest alone, where several metro stations were flooded. The storm also affected around 60 towns and villages outside the capital, damaging dozens of homes and vehicles.

Police and firefighters were deployed across the affected regions to evacuate residents from flooded homes and clear fallen trees and debris. The severe weather followed an intense heat wave earlier this week, with temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the country, increasing electricity demand and driving up power prices.