Four Dead as Storm Hits Macedonia

Four people were killed when the heavy storm hit Tetovo and nearby mountain villages on Monday afternoon, the police confirmed early Tuesday.

The victims were identified only as 'A.I.' aged seven, 'H.F.' aged 83, 'A.M.' aged 14 and 'R.A.' aged 15.

A six-year-old girl from the village of Shipkovica is also listed as missing.

"For now we have 11 people injured, mostly from [the villages of] Shipkovica, Selce, Dzepciste and Mala Recica. Some are still in hospital," the police spokesperson in Tetovo, Marjan Josifovski, told media.

The authorities say that most of the dead and injured in the villages were victims of landslides caused by the torrential rain and heavy winds.

In the town itself, the River Pena overflowed and flooded the nearby streets and homes, causing mostly material damage.  Vehicles were reported damaged by from falling trees.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, visited the town right after the storm, promised help for the local population. 

The nearby towns and the capital Skopje, some 40 kilometres from Tetovo, have already sent rescue personnel and emergency vehicles to boost the local relief effort.

The heavy rain caused lesser trouble in other parts of the country as well and cut off several important roads. The towns of Bitola and Prilep were also hit.