Giresun flood: 172 stranded people rescued

Minister Soylu (second from right) visited the city. (Photos: AA)

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At least 172 people stranded by floods in Turkey's Black Sea region were rescued, the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) has stated.

After floods in the Giresun province, at least 172 people were rescued in ongoing searches with teams of 2,522 people and 691 vehicles, the AFAD said in a statement yesterday (August 25).

At least 92 of 118 village roads closed due to floods and landslides were cleared for traffic, and work is underway to clear 26 more village roads, it added.

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In a visit to Giresun, Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu said that the police and gendarmes are "making a great effort" to help people.

"Currently, 8 village roads are closed, the mobilization to open them is continuing," he said, adding that there was great damage in village roads.

According to the AFAD, 28 teams continue to work in the Dereli, Doğankent, and Tirebolu districts and the Giresun city center, where damage assessment work is ongoing.

The search for missing victims of the flood is continuing in the region, it added.

At least eight people died and 12 were injured due to the heavy flooding on Monday (August 24).

Floodwaters demolished 17 buildings and slightly damaged 361 structures, said Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Bekir Pakdemirli said farmland had suffered less damage than initially thought.

Meanwhile, 9 million Turkish liras ($1.23 million) was sent to the region for recovery and repair work. (EMK/VK)