Criminal charges leveled against Rhodes local government over deadly 2013 floods

The head of the prosecutor's office of the southeastern Aegean island of Rhodes on Thursday brought criminal charges against local authorities over the loss of life and damage cause by floods that swept through the island in November 2013.

Four people died in the flash floods caused by heavy rainfall, while homes and business suffered millions of euros in damages.

Following the findings of a preliminary inquiry into why the floods were so destructive, judicial official Constantinos Boutsikos ordered that criminal charges be brought against all related parties at the Regional Authority of the Southern Aegean, the Municipality of Rhodes, as well as the former municipalities of Ialysos and Petaloudes.

Arrest warrants will be issued on the evidence arising from testimony heard by the magistrate leading the investigation.