1 dead in northeastern Turkey flash flood

By Yusuf Okur

ARTVIN, Turkey (AA) – At least one person died and three others went missing after heavy rain in northeastern Turkey's Artvin province triggered floods, an official said Monday.

Yilmaz Doruk, the provincial governor, told reporters that the flash flood occurred at 7.30 p.m. local time (1630GMT) on Sunday.

While inspecting the Yusufeli district, Doruk said the flood hit the construction site of Yusufeli Dam.

One of the on-site workers lost his life, and a family of three went missing, he said, adding that search and rescue operations continue.

Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, gendarmerie forces and sniffer dogs are part of the rescue mission.

Underlining heavy material damage, especially in the dormitory and office area, the governor said workers have been evacuated to a safer place but dozens of vehicles are still under debris.

The Artvin-Erzurum road has been closed, and it would take time to clear the tunnel from sediments, he added.

* Writing by Gozde Bayar