Bosnia Floods: Death Toll Climbs to 19, Several Missing; State of Emergency Declared

Kiseljak: Bosnia has been witnessing rainstorms and heavy floods in most parts of the country which have claimed 19 lives so far; the adverse weather conditions have led to the authorities to declaring a state of emergency. Several people are still missing and a search operation is underway.

Bosnia Floods Death Toll Climbs to 19, Several Missing

A severe rainstorm struck Bosnia overnight Friday, killing at least 19 people in floods and landslides in several towns and villages in central and southern parts of the country, with surging waters rushing into people's homes as they were sleeping.

Rescue services in the south said several people were missing and called on volunteers and the army to assist as roads were closed and houses left without electricity. A pregnant woman lost her baby after she was rescued from the floods and transferred to a hospital in the regional center of Mostar. Authorities said doctors were fighting for her life as well. 

Separately, a child was successfully rescued and hospitalized, local officials said. Rescue services in the towns of Jablanica and Kiseljak said the power was off overnight and mobile phones lost their signal. The Jablanica fire station said that the town was completely inaccessible because roads and trainlines were closed.

State of Emergency Declared in Bosnia

Amid the grim situation in Bosnia following the rainstorms and floods, the authorities have declared a state of emergency in the country. These floods are one of the worst floods in Bosnia in the past years.

Development minister Vojin Mijatovic has sought for calm from the people as rescue operations continue in the flood-hit areas. Authorities urged people to stay on the upper floors of their homes. 

Villages-Cities Submerged, Roads Washed Out

Drone footage broadcast on Bosnian media showed villages and towns completely submerged under water, while videos on social networks showed dramatic scenes of muddy torrents and damaged roads. One of the busiest roads linking Sarajevo with the Adriatic coast via Jablanica was swept into a river, together with a railway line in a huge landslide, according to photos.

“Many people are endangered because of big waters and landslides. There is information about victims and many injured and missing persons,” said the civic protection service. Reports said surging waters swept away domestic animals and cars as the water swiftly filled up lower floors of buildings.

The heavy rains and strong winds were also reported in neighboring Croatia, where several roads were closed and the capital of Zagreb prepared for the swollen Sava River to burst its banks. Heavy winds have hampered traffic along the southern coast of the Adriatic Sea, and flash floods caused by heavy rain threatened several towns and villages in Croatia.

Floods caused by torrential rains were also reported in Montenegro, south of Bosnia, where some villages were cut off and roads and homes flooded.

(Inputs from AP)