State of emergency declared in Russia as 130 tourists trapped and dozens evacuated

A state of emergency has been declared in a municipality in Southern Russia where around 130 tourists are trapped after a horror storm. The group of tourists are stuck in Goryachy Klyuch, a town in Krasnodar Krai, according to a Russian Public Telegram.

Emergency services have been sent to rescue the tourists who became trapped after a shallow river crossing flooded due to it overflowing. Seperately a group of 17 tourists were rescued near the city of Goryachiy Klyuch. One of the tourists had a broken leg and received medical assistance. Around 40 people have been evacuated so far and over 70 households have been flooded.

The bridge across the Shapsukho River collapsed in the village of Lermontovo leaving 300 residential buildings without the crossing.

Horror footage from the scene shows streets flooded with water and homes submerged in water, temporary accommodation points have been opened for those affected.

A tornado was reported on a beach in Agoi, Krasnodar Krai, prompting locals to prepare for evacuation. Meanwhile the coast of Sochi, near Tuapse, was hit by a series of heavy downpours.

The Russian Emergency Ministry has introduced a state of emergency in the Tuapse district, Krasnodar Krai due to flooding.

The Governor of Kuban Veniamin Kondratev said in his Telegram: "The bridge was driven in Lermontovo, it was in an emergency. In addition, due to landslide, traffic was temporarily restricted by Moldovans Skin.

"Refersive traffic was organized in the Jubga region.

"I advise drivers to take this into account when compiling the route. The rescuers are now evacuating the tourism groups in the region."

More than 150 employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and 44 units of equipment have been sent to help eliminate the consequences of the floods.