By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Six people were killed and dozens were injured when a thunderstorm with damaging winds swept through northern Greece Wednesday night.
The thunderstorm struck the northern Halkidiki region , near city of Thessaloniki.
Two people were killed when the strong thunderstorm winds overturned their recreation vehicle, according to the Associated Press. A woman was fatally struck by an outdoor restaurant's lean-to roof that had collapsed. Her child was also hit and later succumbed to his injuries.
Falling trees are being blamed for the deaths of the other two individuals.
Around 65 other people sustained injuries; 35 of those individuals were hospitalized.
An overturned vehicle is seen on a beach at Sozopoli village in Halkidiki region, northern Greece, on Thursday, July 11, 2019, after the powerful thunderstorm struck the night before. (Giannis Moisiadis/InTime News via AP)
According to preliminary weather observations, the thunderstorm winds produced a gust of 78 km/h (48 mph) in Thessaloniki shortly before 10 p.m. EEST (3 p.m. EDT) Wednesday.
A state of emergency was declared followed the deadly thunderstorm, which also cut power across the region. Downed trees blocked roads.
"The violent thunderstorm was triggered when a strong cold front swept through and brought an end to the heat wave that has been gripping the region," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Rob Richards.
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Prior to Wednesday's high of 31.8 C (89 F), temperatures soared to or past 32 C (90 F) the first nine days of the month at Thessaloniki. A high of 31 C (88 F) is more typical this time of year.
High temperatures will be held to more comfortable readings of near 29 C (84 F) through this weekend.
After welcoming the return of drier weather on Thursday, a shower or thunderstorm will rattle parts of the region during the afternoons of Friday and Saturday. More numerous showers and thunderstorms will follow for later in the weekend.
While the thunderstorms are not expected to be as severe as what occurred on Wednesday, any thunderstorm will bring lightning dangers to those participating in storm cleanup operations.
Download the free AccuWeather app to know when thunderstorms will threaten your community.
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