A tragedy unfolded in Istanbul amid heavy rainfall that caused widespread flooding when a 14-year-old boy stepped into standing water, was electrocuted, and lost his life.
The boy, identified by the initials M.I., was taken to the hospital unconscious after the incident at Çukur Boştan Park in the Balat neighborhood. Despite the doctors’ efforts, he could not be saved, according to Türkiye Today.
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An investigation into the case has been launched; however, the circumstances of the accident and the source of the electrical current in the water have not yet been clarified.
The video shows the boy walking barefoot, holding his shoes in his hands. He then steps into what appears to be a small puddle of water, where he is struck by an electric current and loses consciousness.
Thousands of flood-related incidents
On Wednesday, rainfall averaged 100 millimeters in Istanbul. Notably, 210 millimeters were recorded in Beyoğlu, while 170 millimeters were recorded in the Eyüp Sultan and Şişli districts.
According to the Istanbul Governor’s Office, emergency services received 2,518 reports between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. There were 1,277 instances of flooding, 15 landslides, 47 cases of people being trapped, 13 fallen trees, and two instances of roofs being blown off. The reports also involved 76 vehicles, 808 homes, and 280 businesses.
8,000 people mobilized
Authorities set up a crisis management center at the facilities of AFAD, the disaster response agency, mobilizing 8,000 people and 2,000 vehicles and construction machines.
As of 8:00 p.m., no roads had been closed, airport runways remained open, and no flights had been canceled. In Şariyer, two people were swept away by the floodwaters but managed to grab hold of something and save themselves. In Fatih, the historic Grand Bazaar and the Egyptian Market were also flooded.
Governor Davut Gül urged residents to stay home on Thursday unless it is absolutely necessary to go out. He advised those living in basement apartments to spend the night on higher floors and warned citizens to avoid stream beds, underpasses, and areas at risk of flooding.
Source: iefimerida.gr
