SOFIA, Bulgaria — Floods that swept through villages in southeastern Bulgaria and on the Black Sea coast claimed three lives and forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes, authorities said Friday.

Interior Minister Daniel Mitov said the three fatalities included two rescuers who died when flooding hit the Elenite seaside resort following torrential rain. Parts of the coastal region was heavily damaged, with floods sweeping cars and caravans into the sea and inundating houses, hotels and campsites.

Bulgarian authorities declared a state of emergency in several towns along the Black Sea coast, where regional public transport was halted due to flooded roads after days of extreme rainfall. Specialized teams from the Bulgarian Navy have been deployed to search for missing people and a

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