A severe thunderstorm has caused significant disruptions in Istanbul, leading to flooding in various parts of the city and resulting in the tragic loss of three lives, authorities confirmed on Thursday. The intense rainfall from Wednesday submerged residential areas, commercial establishments, and transportation routes, leading to a chaotic situation with stranded vehicles and traffic congestion throughout Turkey’s most populous city.
Reports from the Istanbul governor’s office indicated the unfortunate deaths of three individuals, with an additional four people reported missing. Tragic incidents included a 14-year-old who was fatally electrocuted in the Fatih district’s park, and a 34-year-old who slipped on a sidewalk in Sariyer, resulting in a fatal head injury. The body of a third victim was discovered near a park in the Kagithane district.
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi disclosed that over 2,700 individuals stranded by the floods were successfully rescued across Istanbul. The Turkish meteorological agency has issued forecasts for continued rainfall in Istanbul and its neighboring areas in the upcoming days.
Images captured after the rainfall depict the aftermath, showcasing vehicles scattered amidst floodwaters and individuals navigating the flooded streets with the assistance of ladders. Aerial views display submerged trucks on inundated roads, emphasizing the extent of the flooding that impacted the city. Additionally, a creek overflowed following the heavy downpour, as seen in a social media video verified by Reuters.