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In Pictures: Flash floods in northern Turkey kill six

Interior minister says 153 people so far were rescued and nearly 1,000 aid workers are searching for missing people.

GIRESUN, TURKEY - AUGUST 23: A drone photo shows the flooded workshops, houses and roads in a residential area as removal works continue near the wrecked bridge connecting Dereli district to Sivas, af
Flooded workshops, houses and roads in a residential area as removal works continue near the wrecked bridge connecting Dereli district to Sivas, after heavy rains in Turkey’s Black Sea province of Giresun [Anadolu]
Published On 24 Aug 202024 Aug 2020
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Flash floods in Turkey’s northern Black Sea region have killed six people and search-and-rescue efforts are continuing for 10 others who are missing. 

Floodwaters caused by unusually heavy rainfall dragged debris and vehicles along a road, leaving them buried in mud, footage from the province of Giresun showed. Residents were seen clearing streets as construction machines lifted debris.

Speaking in Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the floods had spread to neighbouring provinces as well, causing injuries in Rize and Trabzon.

“In the initial reports we received, we had five dead and about 12 wounded as a result of heavy floods,” Erdogan said. “God willing, we will overcome the damage and destruction here rapidly.”

Turkey’s Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) said it had sent a team for search-and-rescue operations and teams in other provinces were also on alert.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said 153 people had so far been rescued and nearly 1,000 aid workers were searching for the missing people. He said power had been restored in some areas, but there was extensive damage to the infrastructure.

“We were not expecting such a severe scene in the area,” he told reporters in Giresun, along with Environment Minister Murat Kurum, who said 17 buildings had collapsed and 361 others were damaged.

Rainfall in Giresun had exceeded averages for the month of August by 1.5 times, but agricultural damage in the region was less than expected, said Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli. 

GIRESUN, TURKEY - AUGUST 23: A drone photo shows the flooded workshops, houses and roads in a residential area after heavy rains in Turkey’s Black Sea province of Giresun on August 23, 2020. Giresun-D
The Giresun-Dereli-Sivas road was damaged after the Aksu river overflowed its banks. [Anadolu Agency]
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GIRESUN, TURKEY - AUGUST 23: A view of the damage caused by the floods following heavy rains in Yaglidere district of Turkey’s Black Sea province of Giresun on August 23, 2020. Works continue in the r
Damage caused by the floods following heavy rains in Yaglidere district, Giresun province. [Anadolu Agency]
People inspect the destruction after floods caused by heavy rain in the mountain town of Dereli in Giresun province, along Turkey''s Black Sea coastline, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. Interior Minister Suley
The flash floods killed six people. [AP Photo]
People inspect the destruction after floods caused by heavy rain in the mountain town of Dereli in Giresun province, along Turkey''s Black Sea coastline, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. The interior minister sa
Search efforts continue for 10 people who are still missing. [AP Photo]
People carry a rescued person from the scene after floods caused by heavy rain in the mountain town of Dereli in Giresun province, along Turkey''s Black Sea coastline, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. The interi
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said 153 people had so far been rescued and nearly 1,000 aid workers were searching for the missing people. [AP Photo]
People inspect the destruction after floods caused by heavy rain in the mountain town of Dereli in Giresun province, along Turkey''s Black Sea coastline, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. Interior Minister Suley
Floodwaters caused by unusually heavy rainfall dragged debris and vehicles along a road, leaving them buried in mud. [AP Photo]
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GIRESUN, TURKEY - AUGUST 23: A drone photo shows the flooded workshops, houses and roads in a residential area after heavy rains in Turkey’s Black Sea province of Giresun on August 23, 2020. Giresun-D
Rainfall in Giresun had exceeded averages for the month of August by 1.5 times. [Anadolu Agency]


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