Storms inflict loss of life and property damage across most of the country

The heavy rains, storms and hail that have swept across Poland in recent days have killed eight people and injured 83. Three people died and 67 were injured during the heavy storms on Tuesday night that raged over five voivodeships, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Malopolskie, Mazowieckie, Slaskie and Podlaskie, covering vast areas of northern, central and southern Poland. Apart from the loss of human life, there was also considerable damage. Hundreds of trees were uprooted and power lines were struck by lightning. The fire brigade was called out over 200 times. Damage estimated at zl.1 million was caused to a village near Bialystok, when it was struck by hailstones as big as geese eggs. The hailstones destroyed three thousand meters of greenhouses and four hundred farms, smashing windows and denting cars. In Tarnow the storm demolished several dozen homes. A forest was also severely damaged, with the fallen trees blocking roads and railway lines before they were finally removed by the fire brigade. The National Meteorological Institute (IMiGW) forecasts that the rain will continue at least until the end of this week. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A1) P.W.