Two dead in floods in Slovenia; hundreds of soldiers join flood effort in Croatia

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia – Authorities in Slovenia say two people have died in new floods that hit the Balkans this weekend after heavy rains.

Police said Sunday a 30-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl drowned after their van plunged into a flood-swollen stream northeast of the capital, Ljubljana.

Authorities say surging waters have flooded hundreds of buildings and roads, also triggering landslides.

In neighbouring Croatia, hundreds of soldiers joined emergency crews in putting up barriers to prevent the bulging rivers from overflowing.

About 2,000 people were taken out of their homes Saturday around the central town of Karlovac, where hundreds moved to upper floors of their flooded homes. Dozens of houses also have been flooded in Bosnia.

More than 50 people died in record floods in the region in May.

Photo: A resident is rescued from her flooded home in Karlovac, central Croatia, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Kristina Stedul Fabac, PIXSELL)