Fatal floods

Waterlogged buildings, collapsed bridges and an escalating death toll make up the aftermath of a two-day heavy rainfall in the European quarter of Istanbul. As waters continue to recede on Thursday, authorities expect the number of casualties to increase.

Several hundred homes were badly damaged and many stretches of road were under water, when flood waters submerged low-lying areas of the region. Parked vehicles were swept away as highways and streets turned into fast flowing rivers.

In the province of Tekirdag, west of Istanbul, seven women drowned when they were swept away by flood waters as they tried to get out of a stranded minibus taking them to work at a textile factory. Several people who got out at the front of the bus managed to scramble to safety. Authorities said at least nine people were missing.

Six times more rain in two days than usual for entire month

Around 900 police, six helicopters and roughly 30 boats and rubber dinghies have been deployed to help free residents trapped on rooftops, in trees and in vehicles stranded in fast-flowing waters. The office of Istanbul's mayor said more than 1,000 people had been rescued since Tuesday.

Environment Minister Veysel Eroglu described the rains as the "worst seen in 500 years." President Abdullah Gul said the flood was the worst ever to hit Istanbul and that the state would do everything possible to help victims.

In what meteorologists say was was the heaviest rainfall in 80 years, around 220 liters (58 gallons) of rain per square meter had fallen since Tuesday. That's six times the average for the entire month of September.

Main roads to Greece and Bulgaria closed

Many roads in both Istanbul and north-west Turkey are impassable. Several main roads and two highways that lead to Greece and Bulgaria are closed. The major highway connecting Istanbul to the airport is in sections up to two meters underwater.

Due to its poor and dilapidated infrastructure, Istanbul and its more than 12 million inhabitants are especially vulnerable to flooding. In some areas of the city, up to 90 percent of buildings are illegally built. Authorities warn that severe damage has been done to buildings and are urging extreme caution for residents.

While officials say it’s too early to estimate the damage of the flood, insurers expect it to be between 48 to 103 million euros (70 and 150 million dollars).

Authorities are already reporting incidents of looting in some shops in flood stricken areas, and predict further rain until Friday and possibly more over the weekend.

wl/mo/AFP/AP/dpa/Reuters
Editor: Trinity Hartman