Potidea

After seven people were killed and more than 100 injured following a short and vehement storm that struck the area of Halkidiki in northern Greece on Wednesday night, there was concern that the European emergency number 112, which could have contributed to timely evacuations, is not working.

At least seven people, including six tourists, were killed and more than 100 others injured when a violent, short-lived storm lashed northern Greece overnight, felling trees and ripping off rooftops.

Witnesses said the storm had come and gone in a matter of minutes. Winds of over 100 kph (60 mph) were reported on the Halkidiki peninsula, popular with tourists in the summer.

A damaged gas station is seen following heavy storms, near Potidea, Greece, Thursday. At least seven people, including six tourists, were killed and more than 100 others injured when a violent, short-lived storm lashed the area overnight, felling trees and ripping off rooftops. [Reuters]

A state of emergency was declared in the northern Greek region of Halkidiki Thursday after six people died in deadly storms and gale-force winds that hit the area late Wednesday night.