UPDATE - At least 4 die in flood in Turkey’s Black Sea region

Rescue efforts underway to find missing people in northern province of Trabzon

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS, UPDATED HEADLINE

By Hakan Burak Altunoz

TRABZON, Turkey (AA) - A flash flood claimed at least four lives in Turkey’s Black Sea region, the interior minister said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters about the flood in Arakli in the Trabzon province, Suleyman Soylu said rescue teams are trying to reach at least six other people.

"Search and rescue teams of 280, including Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), Search and Rescue Association (AKUT), and gendarmerie forces are searching the region," Soylu added.

The flood demolished seven buildings, he added.

Earlier, Agriculture and Forest Minister Bekir Pakdemirli denied reports saying the flood was caused by a hydroelectric power plant pipe explosion.

"The flood was caused by a landslide," he said.

* Writing by Burak Bir

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