Istanbul Floods Leave Three Dead Following Record-Breaking Rainfall
Severe flash floods in Istanbul have resulted in three deaths and 2,700 evacuations after the city experienced its heaviest rainfall in 84 years.
POLICY WIRE — Istanbul, Turkey — A catastrophic deluge has paralyzed Istanbul, resulting in at least three fatalities and the emergency evacuation of 2,700 residents. The severe weather event, described by the governor as the most intense rainfall in 84 years, has left the city struggling to manage widespread infrastructure failure.
The Istanbul governor’s office confirmed the death toll on Thursday, noting that four additional individuals remain missing. Emergency responders worked through the night to rescue hundreds of people who were trapped at their places of employment as floodwaters surged.
Tragedy struck in the Fatih district, where a 14-year-old lost their life due to electrocution after stepping into a puddle. In the Sariyer district, a 34-year-old died after slipping on a sidewalk and sustaining a fatal head injury.
The torrential downpour, which began Wednesday night, transformed streets into rivers and submerged entire neighborhoods across the city. Homes and major roadways were inundated, forcing a massive mobilization of rescue teams to assist those stranded by the rising waters.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
