Flood kills 5 in Turkey's northwest

At least five people were killed in floods caused by heavy rains in the northwestern province of Bursa, officials said on June 22. The floods occurred in Kestel district, which has paralyzed life in the rural neighborhoods of Dudaklı, Narlıdere, Aksu and Kayacık.

Duvar English - Anadolu Agency

At least five people were killed in floods caused by heavy rains in the northwestern province of Bursa, officials said on June 22.

According to information obtained from the teams taking part in search and rescue operations, two of four missing people have been found dead.

Late June 21, Bursa Governor Yakup Canpolat said that according to an initial assessment, two people had died and four were missing in the floods.

The floods occurred in Kestel district, which has paralyzed life in the rural neighborhoods of Dudaklı, Narlıdere, Aksu and Kayacık.

Intensive search and rescue operations are being carried out in flood-hit areas by 257 personnel, including 134 gendarmerie officers.

Firefighting Department, Directory of Technical Works and Bursa Water and Sewerage Administration (BUSKI) teams reached the scene. Operations are carried out by Bursa Metropolitan Municipality with 3 excavators, 3 loaders, 3 backhoe loaders and 16 trucks, BUSKI officers with 8 trucks, 12 backhoe loaders and 3 excavators, and Kestel Municipality staff with one backhoe loader, one loader, one excavator and 3 trucks.

Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu arrived in Kestel at President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s instructions to inspect the area.

According to his initial assessment, Soylu said the incident is far above the seasonal norms.

Thousands of decares of agricultural land was damaged, dealing a major blow to the residents' source of income.

Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum said that the damage assessment works will be carried out swiftly and the losses of the people in the area will be compensated.