ARTVIN, (AA): Flood and landslides in northeastern Turkish province of Artvin claimed at least seven lives, said provincial governor on Monday.
“Medical teams have managed to revive one person; so far we have lost seven of our citizens,” Kemal Cirit told Anadolu Agency.
Earlier in a press conference at the governorate office, Cirit said the flood and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall killed residents of Hopa district and its Yoldere, Yesilkoy and Esmekaya villages.
He had earlier put the initial death toll at eight, while stressing the reports have yet to be confirmed.
Cirit has said one child was still missing in Hopa district and at least 17 people were injured and taken to hospital for medical treatment.
“The efforts are underway to retrieve the child,” said the governor, adding that access to some villages was blocked by the landslides.
The governor said Hopa saw a record amount of rainfall during the flooding, with the rain per square meter reaching up to 261 kilograms.
Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu have extended condolences to the families of the victims, and wished for the speedy recovery of those injured, official sources said.
Turkey’s Search and Rescue Association, or AKUT, announced late Monday that it has dispatched a team of 22 volunteers to help rescue efforts.
Cirit added that efforts were underway to rescue a citizen who was stranded in Yukari Kuledibi Street, and that more rescue teams were making their way to the flood-hit areas.
Hopa district governor Nedim Cihan told Anadolu Agency the flooding and landslides could be the “worst disaster that our district experienced in fifty years”.
Anadolu Agency reporter at the scene says the ground floors of almost of all buildings in the district — which has a population of nearly 34,000 — remain under water, while the flood also hit a parking space for trucks, with trees and debris damaging nearly 300 vehicles.