Thousands flee as Danube bursts dykes

THOUSANDS of residents have been evacuated from two Danube villages in western Romania and thousands more are under threat as the river hit near-record levels in Romania and Bulgaria.

More than 3,000 people were evacuated from the village of Rast after a dyke collapsed on Sunday, while some 400 people were forced to leave their homes in nearby Negoi.

Authorities said more than 600 houses in Rast were flooded, with 115 collapsing.

In Negoi, 150 houses were flooded. A major road was also under water, and hundreds of rescue workers and volunteers were working to repair the dyke and help local residents.

In the nearby Danube community of Bistret, hundreds of rescue workers scrambled to repair a dyke which cracked early yesterday under the weight of the waters. Army rescue workers used trucks, and villagers used horse-drawn carts to pile up sandbags against the dike. Thousands faced the prospect of having to leave their homes.

"We are the victims of authorities who have been telling us for three days that everything is under control. Villagers are afraid and want to escape, but I sold my house to move here and I have nowhere to go. I am sure the dyke is going to break. We are at God's mercy," said local resident Mariana Stanciu, 53, standing at the barrier.

The Danube Europe's second-longest river was flowing at a record 15,800 cubic meters (558,000 cubic feet) per second, or double the average for this time of year, according to Romania's Environment and Water Ministry.