ISTANBUL — Turkey’s interior minister said Friday that the flooding hitting Istanbul is the most severe in over eight decades, with the death toll climbing to four.
Istanbul, home to 16 million people, received more rain in the 48 hours leading up to Thursday morning than the typical combined rainfall for September and October, according to Anadolu Agency.
On Friday, rescuers recovered the body of a 66‑year‑old man beneath a bridge in the Sariyer district. Three other fatalities had been reported earlier, among them a teenager who was electrocuted during the storm.
Floodwaters inundated homes and businesses, submerging streets and parks throughout the city. Numerous vehicles were swept away and accumulated at the bases of hills.
Prior to Friday’s discovery, Ciftci informed reporters in Sariyer’s Ayazaga neighborhood that four individuals were still unaccounted for.
He noted that authorities had logged 9,850 damage reports linked to the flooding, while 46,000 personnel were deployed to clear debris and assist residents across Istanbul.
Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum joined Ciftci on a visit to the affected area.
Responding to worries that urban expansion near waterways worsened the flooding, Kurum stressed that addressing the issue is essential.
Kurum, who will preside over the upcoming COP31 climate summit in Antalya next month, also attributed the floods to climate change, declaring, “Combating climate change is not a choice but a necessity.”
