Four ex-regional officials convicted over 2020 Thessaly floods

A court in Larissa, Central Greece, on Thursday convicted four former regional authority officials for contributing to the devastating floods caused by the Ianos cyclone in September 2020, upholding accusations that they failed to carry out essential preventive work that could have stemmed the extent of the damage.

The four officials were handed a 15-month suspended sentence. Another six defendants were cleared of all charges.

The four convicted officials are the former governor of Thessaly, Kostas Agorastos, the then deputy regional governor of Karditsa, Kostis Nousios, and their respective heads of technical services. 

The September 2020 storm caused millions of euros in damages on the islands of the Ionian, across Central Greece, in Athens and in other parts of the country, while also claiming four lives. A fifth person was also declared missing and is...