Storm devastates Lithuania: one dead, four injured
A powerful storm hit Lithuania on Saturday, killing one person and injuring four others, while hundreds of thousands were left without electricity.
A severe storm swept across Lithuania on Saturday with tragic consequences: in the Anykščiai district, a tree fell on a man in his yard and pushed him into a nearby pond; rescuers pulled him out, but doctors later confirmed his death. Lithuanian emergency services described the storm as the most destructive the country has seen in the past 20 years.
Several injured
Four other people were injured in incidents involving fallen trees. In a park in Kaunas, a tree fell on a woman, and firefighters had to remove branches pinning her down before handing her to medics. In the Kėdainiai district, a tree fell on a car carrying two people, both of whom were injured. In the Zarasai district, a cyclist rode into a fallen tree, fell, and was also injured. Overnight, two firefighters were lightly hurt while clearing storm debris in the Jonava district, when a passing car struck them as they removed fallen trees from the road. Medics found only minor injuries, and both were able to return to duty.
Thousands of emergency calls
By Sunday morning, Lithuania's Fire and Rescue Department had received more than 1,200 calls related to storm damage nationwide. In a single day, the Joint Assistance Centre logged 11,460 calls — more than double the usual daily volume. The strongest gusts, up to 33 meters per second, were recorded at Ventės Ragas and Nida, with hurricane-force winds reported in some areas.
Hundreds of thousands without power
At the peak on Saturday evening, 268,000 customers were without electricity, with the Utena region hit hardest. By Monday morning, 129,000 households remained without power, mainly in the Kaunas, Utena, Panevėžys and Vilnius regions. Grid operator ESO has delivered more than 100 generators to municipalities, but full restoration of power could take up to a week.
