Three dead and 2,700 evacuated as heavy rainfall and floods shut down Istanbul
Three people have died and 2,700 evacuated as heavy rainfall and floods have shut down Istanbul. <p>A 14-year-old was electrocuted after stepping in a puddle, and a 34-year-old slipped on a footpath and hit their head, officials said. The body of a third person was discovered near another park in the Kagithane district.</p><p>Schools have closed and residents have been advised to stay home except for necessary travel. Rescuers worked overnight on Wednesday to save people trapped at their workplaces.</p><widget id="7"></widget><p>More than 2,700 people who were stranded by the floods were safely evacuated throughout the city, <strong><a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/turkey-5859" target="_self">Turkey's</a></strong> interior minister Mustafa Ciftci said.</p><p>The <strong><a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/istanbul-6066/1" target="_self">Istanbul</a></strong> Metropolitan Municipality said some areas had the highest amount of rain since 1985.</p><p>Heavy rain was still falling on Thursday morning, with more showers predicted for the coming days.</p> <widget id="8"></widget><p><strong>More from Sky News:</strong><br /><a href="https://news.sky.com/story/at-least-17-children-killed-in-pakistan-school-collapse-13599466" target="_self"><strong>Dozens killed in Pakistan school collapse</strong></a><br /><strong><a href="https://news.sky.com/story/worlds-oldest-shipwreck-found-off-turkish-coast-archaeologists-say-13599286" target="_self">World's oldest shipwreck found in Turkey</a></strong></p><p>Mr Ciftci said 272mm of rain had fallen in some areas, and disaster and emergency agencies were "working in the field".</p><p>"Our state continues its efforts with all its resources to ensure the safety of our citizens and to meet their needs," he said in a post on X.</p><p>Acknowledging the deaths in Istanbul, he said: "We are deeply saddened."</p> <widget id="10"></widget><p>The downpour flooded businesses and homes, inundated roads and underpasses and brought traffic to a standstill.</p><p>Pictures from Istanbul show streets transformed into rivers, cars and trucks washed away and pedestrians hunched under umbrellas.</p><p>In Sakarya province, around 93 miles (150km) east of Istanbul, a two-story house that was built on a riverbed collapsed in the floods, HaberTurk television reported.</p> <widget id="1"></widget><p>Residents living in basement flats have been advised to spend the night elsewhere.</p><p>Motorcycles have been banned from the roads.</p>