A severe rainfall in Istanbul has caused widespread disruption, leading to flooded roads and homes, and resulting in at least three fatalities, authorities confirmed on Thursday. The heavy downpour on Wednesday submerged residential and commercial properties, as well as roads and underpasses, leaving vehicles stranded and causing significant traffic congestion in Turkey’s largest city.
The Istanbul governor’s office disclosed that three individuals lost their lives in the city, with four others reported missing. Tragic incidents included the electrocution of a 14-year-old in the Fatih district who stepped into a puddle in a park, and a 34-year-old in the Sariyer district who slipped on a sidewalk, sustaining a fatal head injury. Additionally, the body of a third victim was found near a park in the Kagithane district.
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi stated that over 2,700 individuals stranded by the floods were successfully rescued across Istanbul. The Turkish Meteorological Service has forecasted more rainfall in Istanbul and its vicinity in the upcoming days, raising concerns about further potential disruptions.
Various images captured the aftermath of the rainfall, showing vehicles scattered across flooded areas, residents navigating floodwaters on ladders, and trucks partially submerged on inundated streets. The impact of the heavy rainfall is evident in the scenes of overflowing creeks and inundated low-rise buildings, emphasizing the extent of the damage caused by the severe weather conditions in Istanbul.