Istanbul horror as floods put city 'underwater' with cars flipped and huge landslides
Istanbul horror as floods put city 'underwater' with cars flipped and huge landslides At least two people have died. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Rebecca Robinson 09:40, Thu, Oct 15, 2026 Updated: 10:46, Thu, Oct 15, 2026 Istanbul floods: Aerial footage shows extent of devastation At least two people have been killed in flooding in Istanbul as homes are deluged and cars are left underwater. The downpour on Wednesday night flooded homes and businesses and inundated roads and underpasses, stranding vehicles and causing traffic chaos in Turkey’s largest city. Rescuers worked overnight to save hundreds of people stranded at their workplaces, while bystanders helped others. A 14-year-old was electrocuted after stepping into a puddle at a park in the Fatih district, and a 34-year-old slipped on a pavement in the Sariyer district and hit their head, according to local news reports. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Footage verified by Al Jazeera showed a surveillance camera capturing the moment the teenage boy was electrocuted in the Balat area of Fatih. It showed him walking through puddles at the entrance of a car park before suddenly collapsing. Istanbul governor’s office said the boy was taken to hospital unconscious but later died, and an investigation into the incident had been opened. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) received nearly 7,000 emergency reports. In one district, bystanders rescued a woman who was being swept down a street by the floodwaters, footage obtained by NTV television showed. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT NATO member scrambles fighter jets as WW3 fears with Russia explode Pope Leo breaks silence after lung cancer diagnosis in new statement Istanbul has been hit by flooding. (Image: Getty) Rescue missions are ongoing. (Image: Getty) Get the latest news from around the world and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Firefighters rescued another person trapped in a flooded basement, the report said. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality said some areas had the highest amount of rain since 1985. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Images showed several parked cars being swept by the floods in another neighbourhood. The governor’s office said that education would be suspended for a day on Thursday, and state employees with disabilities and mothers with young children would be placed on leave. It advised residents to stay home unless travel was absolutely necessary and for people living in basement apartments to spend the night elsewhere. Motorcycles, meanwhile, were barred from traffic. Istanbul Governor Davut Gul added that schools would remain closed on Friday as the city deals with the aftermath. The severe weather also disrupted metro and tram services, and 43 flights attempting to land at Istanbul Airport were diverted to alternative airports. Turkey Flood Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments