4 killed as Slovenia suffers record floods

At least four people died in Slovenia as torrential rains, landslides and floods brought havoc to the country in its worst natural disaster in recent history.

Three people were found dead on Friday and the fourth death was reported on Saturday. Two were Dutch climbers, a father and son, who died on Friday in the mountains near Kranj in the Alpine country, according to Slovenian and Dutch media.

A Slovenian woman was also reported among those killed on Friday due to flooding in the town of Kamnik. The fourth body of a man was retrieved on the outskirts of the capital Ljubljana on Saturday.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry said at least five Dutch citizens have been missing while holidaying in Slovenia.

Authorities in the central city of Celje evacuated about 4,000 people, roughly 10 percent of the town's population, as the surging Savinja River in northeast Slovenia overflowed its banks. Upstream in the town of Ljubno, the same river swept away houses and caused landslides.

The disaster, which started on Thursday, has resulted in the collapse of at least three bridges and caused damage to roads and energy infrastructure.

Rescue efforts underway

Slovenia's army has joined the relief effort, with troops reaching cut-off areas in the north to help.

Images from the scene showed entire villages underwater, outdoor camping sites destroyed, cars stuck in mud and children's toys crammed against fences.

As the extreme weather on Friday started to ease on Saturday, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said the floods had affected large parts of the country in the previous few days and caused property damage worth $550 million.

"This is the worst natural disaster in Slovenia's (recent) history, it has affected two-thirds of the country," he said on Saturday after attending the National Security Council meeting, the Slovenian Press Agency reported.

"The scale is catastrophic. We are asking for all the help we can get. I'm calling on everyone to stay at home unless it's absolutely necessary to go out," he said after cutting short his vacation to handle the disaster.

European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic, who is Slovenian, is in Ljubljana to discuss the situation with the Slovenian government, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"Heartbreaking to follow the devastation caused by colossal floods in Slovenia. The EU is by the side of the Slovenian people. We will mobilize support as needed," Von der Leyen said in a tweet on Saturday.