Residents of Polish Town Hit by Flood Hope to Make Homes Livable by Winter

Damage on flooded streets after flooding in Stronie Slaskie, southwestern Poland, 20 September 2024. (EPA)
Damage on flooded streets after flooding in Stronie Slaskie, southwestern Poland, 20 September 2024. (EPA)
TT
20

Residents of Polish Town Hit by Flood Hope to Make Homes Livable by Winter

Damage on flooded streets after flooding in Stronie Slaskie, southwestern Poland, 20 September 2024. (EPA)
Damage on flooded streets after flooding in Stronie Slaskie, southwestern Poland, 20 September 2024. (EPA)

As water receded in Stronie Slaskie, one of the areas worst-hit by massive floods in southwest Poland, residents and volunteers began clearing up in hope their homes would be livable before the onset of winter.

Parts of the mountain town of 5,000 people were swamped when a dam burst last weekend during Central Europe's worst floods in more than two decades that have caused billions of dollars of damage and killed at least 24 people.

Miroslaw Wegrzyn, 67, who has been running the "Ice Cool" ice cream shop for 30 years, said the water came above the top of his door. When it receded, he found the building full of mud among dislodged machinery and hundreds of ice sticks.

"A wave almost three meters in front came here and when the dam broke, it swept everything away," he said, adding he was not insured and did know if he would rebuild the shop.

The floods swept away homes and cars, leaving streets covered with mud, rubble and debris.

"We have to rebuild. Slowly rebuild and wait for the weather to be good and for winter to come as late as possible", said Grzegorz Ukrainski, 42, a businessman from a city to the northeast, Opole, who volunteered to help clean up in Stronie Slaskie.



Saudi Medical Team Separates Conjoined Twins in Groundbreaking 15-Hour Surgery

The procedure was carried out by a dedicated team of 36 consultants and specialists from multiple disciplines. SPA
The procedure was carried out by a dedicated team of 36 consultants and specialists from multiple disciplines. SPA
TT
20

Saudi Medical Team Separates Conjoined Twins in Groundbreaking 15-Hour Surgery

The procedure was carried out by a dedicated team of 36 consultants and specialists from multiple disciplines. SPA
The procedure was carried out by a dedicated team of 36 consultants and specialists from multiple disciplines. SPA

The medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program successfully separated on Wednesday Eritrean twins Asma and Someya, who were joined at the head, at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh.

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) Supervisor General and head of the medical team Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah said the complex procedure, which lasted more than 15 hours, was carried out in adherence to Saudi leadership directives by a dedicated team of 36 consultants and specialists from multiple disciplines.

The team employed neuronavigational technology and surgical microscopy to ensure precise planning and uphold the highest safety standards.

He added that this operation marks the 64th separation performed under the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program, which has treated over 149 cases from 27 countries over the past 35 years.

The program continues to receive strong support from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Over the years, it has achieved outstanding medical successes, showcasing the advanced capabilities and professionalism of Saudi Arabia's healthcare sector and its medical teams.

Consultant pediatric neurosurgeon and head of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Dr. Moutasem Azzubi explained that the twins underwent a comprehensive evaluation, which revealed the fusion of skull bones, brain membranes, veins, and certain arteries.

The separation was conducted in stages, beginning with an initial surgical procedure followed by three interventional radiology procedures to block shared arteries and veins. The pediatric plastic surgery team inserted tissue expanders under the skin to stretch it over several months and allow sufficient skin coverage after the separation.

The twins' family expressed their sincere gratitude to the Saudi leadership for making this life-saving procedure possible and ensuring their children received the best medical care. They also commended the Kingdom’s humanitarian efforts and extended thanks for the generous hospitality they received during their stay in Saudi Arabia.