Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Flash Floods at Petra Claim Lives of Belgian Tourists, Site Temporarily Closed

Jordanian authorities evacuated nearly 1,800 tourists from the UNESCO site as extreme weather highlights growing risks to cultural heritage and visitor safety.

Jordanie: les images saisissantes de l'inondation du site antique de Pétra
Jordanie: les images saisissantes de l'inondation du site antique de Pétra
Image
Image

Overview

  • Sudden flash floods on May 4 led to the evacuation of approximately 1,785 tourists from the Petra archaeological site in Jordan.
  • Two Belgian tourists, a mother and her son, were found dead after disappearing during the floods; their two other children were rescued unharmed.
  • The victims were part of an unguided adventure group, which included 14 Czech tourists, traveling in a region increasingly prone to intense storms.
  • Petra remains closed to visitors, with ticket sales suspended as authorities monitor weather conditions and assess safety measures.
  • The incident underscores challenges in balancing the preservation of cultural heritage sites with the safety of visitors amid escalating climate risks.