Turkey floods: death toll rises to 40
Istanbul, Aug 14 (EFE).- At least 40 people died in the floods that have been hitting three northern Turkish provinces, authorities said on Saturday.
“Due to the floods 34 citizens in Kastamonu and six in Sinop have lost their lives,” the AFAD rescue team said in a statement. “Nine people continue to be treated at various hospitals.”
The previous death toll from the floods that have been hitting the country since Wednesday stood at 31 on Friday.
Heavy rainfall has destroyed buildings, roads and several bridges, cutting off hundreds of people in several towns.
The Bozkurt town, home to over 5,400 people, has been the worst hit as the water level reached four meters in a stream overflow that has destroyed the foundations of several buildings and trapped dozens of people.
There are still over 100 people unaccounted for, the Turkish NTV network said citing an AFAD source.
Over 1,700 people have been temporarily evacuated from their homes and housed in student residences.
Turkish emergency services have mobilized a team of 2,500 search and rescue workers, with 313 vehicles and 9 helicopters. EFE
lvm/ta/lv
