Istanbul flood death toll rises to eight after heaviest rainfall in over 80 years
The death toll from the severe flooding that struck Istanbul and surrounding areas last Wednesday has risen to eight, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül announced on Monday. The city experienced its heaviest rainfall since records began in 1942, causing widespread flash floods and chaos. Gül told reporters that six people died in Istanbul, while two others from the neighbouring province of Kocaeli were found dead in Pendik after being swept away. “Two people who died in Kocaeli and were swept away as far as Pendik were found dead by our search and rescue teams. Therefore, a total of eight bodies have been found,” he said.
Search continues for one missing person
Search efforts are ongoing for one more person who remains missing. The governor noted that authorities received nearly 20,000 reports of property damage. “We experienced a disaster that generated around 19,300 reports, each with different types of problems. At this point, it has been determined that around 2,000 homes and about 900 businesses…have suffered serious damage,” Gül added. On Friday, authorities paid 10,000 Turkish lira (€180) to 5,200 affected residents, with the same amount to be paid to another 2,500 people on Monday. The flooding, which dragged cars and people through fast-flowing waters, also caused one death by electrocution when a 14-year-old boy stepped in a puddle.
