Despairing fishermen have continued battling to defend Europe’s richest shellfish beds from a major fuel oil spill.

As many as 40,000 residents fled low-lying parts of Prague before dawn today, hours before the worst flood in more than 100 years was expected to hit the Czech capital.

Europe’s flood death toll has swelled to at least 74 as torrential rains unleashed raging waters that swept away Russian tourists, triggered landslides in Germany and Switzerland and shut down shipping on the Danube River in Austria.

At least 72 people have died across Europe as floods swept away Russian tourists, triggered landslides in Germany and Switzerland and shut down shipping on the Danube River in Austria.

The body of another crewman who drowned off the west coast of Ireland last October has been recovered from the sea by the Irish naval service today.