Istanbul Floods Leave Three Dead, Thousands Stranded
Torrential downpours submerged neighborhoods, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted travel in Turkey's most populous city.
At least three people have died and thousands were stranded after devastating flash floods swept through Istanbul following torrential rainfall on Wednesday night. The downpours submerged entire neighborhoods, turning streets into rivers and inundating homes.
Officials reported three fatalities in the city, with four individuals still missing. A 14-year-old was electrocuted after stepping into a puddle in the Fatih district, and a 34-year-old died after slipping on a sidewalk in Sariyer. The body of a third victim was discovered in the Kagithane district.
More than 2,700 stranded individuals were safely evacuated across the city, according to Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci. Emergency services responded to over 2,500 weather-related incidents, including 1,277 floods and 15 landslides. Approximately 800 homes, 280 businesses, and 76 vehicles were impacted.
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality stated that some areas experienced the highest rainfall since 1985. In Sakarya province, east of Istanbul, a two-story house built on a riverbed collapsed. Floodwaters reached two hospitals, and commuters walked through rising water in the Haciosman metro station. In Sultangazi, a primary school's retaining wall collapsed while students were inside, though no injuries were reported.
Footage from the event captured chaotic scenes, with bystanders assisting someone caught in a strong current. Passengers were seen standing on bus seats as floodwater rose inside vehicles, and cars were swept down streets, colliding with each other. The Kagithane Stream overflowed its banks, inundating nearby historical sites and streets.
The flooding also affected air travel, with 46 planes unable to land at Istanbul's airports. The country's weather agency has predicted further showers, with rain forecast to return Friday morning. The governor's office extended a school closure order through Friday, and some state employees were placed on leave. Residents were advised to stay home unless travel was essential, and motorcycles were banned from traffic.