The Jordanian authorities evacuated Sunday nearly 1,800 tourists from the ancient site of Petra, in the south of the country, after sudden floods struck the region, announced a local official on state television.
“The rescue teams of the Regional Authority of Petra and the Civil Defense have evacuated hundreds of tourists in Petra, without any victim being reported, after floods affected the archaeological site this afternoon“Said this official, Yazan Mohadin, to the Al-Mamlaka channel.
“The total number of tourists who visited the site today amounted to 1785, and the majority of them were evacuated by the Civil Defense teams“, He said. The manager stressed that the authorities had suspended the sale of tickets in the afternoon for safety. The Jordanian weather authority broadcast a video showing sudden floods falling on the ancient site while visitors gathered at the entrance to the Khazneh, one of the most emblematic buildings of Petra.
Similar evacuations have already taken place in the past, the region being more and more prone to intense rains and storms. Classified as a UNESCO world Heritage Site, Petra is famous for its monumental temples cut in La Roche Rose. It was designated in 2007 as one of the seven new wonders of the world after an online vote.
