While the southwest of Turkey is affected by wildfires, heavy rains in the north cause flooding and landslides. According to officials, at least 17 people were killed.

At least 17 people have been killed so far in floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains in northern Turkey. Water rushes destroyed homes and bridges and tore cars along with them in the Black Sea provinces of Bartin, Kastamonu, Sinop and Samsun on Wednesday. People who had gone to safer places on the roofs of houses were rescued by helicopter.

The worst affected was Kastamonu, where large parts of the city of Bozkert were flooded. At least 13 people were injured when part of a bridge collapsed in the province of Bartin. Helicopters of the armed forces rescued 80 people in the area. There was no electricity in many areas and the village roads were jammed.

hospital evacuated

A hospital in Sinop had to be evacuated. Officials said that 45 patients, including four patients in intensive care, were brought safely during the operation. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said the operation was necessary because of severe water ingress. Images from the DHA news agency showed the hospital floor was under water.

As announced by the Turkish Civil Protection Authority, the flooding has now subsided. The Turkish Black Sea region is often affected by heavy rains and flash floods.

i am Firefighters working hard in southwest Turkey Meanwhile, to extinguish forest fires in Mugla province, an area of ​​the Aegean Sea popular among tourists.