33 Dead, 20 Missing in Flash Floods in Western Regions

At least 33 people have lost their lives and 20 others were reported missing on Saturday after flash floods and torrential rains caused rivers to overflow in the western parts of the country since Thursday night.

Eighteen cities and towns in provinces of East Azarbaijan, West Azarbaijan, Kordestan, Mazandaran, and Zanjan were severely affected by the flooding, according to local news outlets.

East Azarbaijan and West Azarbaijan had the highest casualties and missing people with 18 of the victims belonging to the city of Ajabshir in East Azarbaijan Province. Seven others lost their lives in Azarshahr, where eye witnesses reported that more than five cars with 15-17 passengers inside were carried away by huge waves of the flood waters.

“There are people missing in Oshnavieh village in West Azerbaijan Province,” Shahin Fathi, deputy head of operations at the Iranian Red Crescent Society, was quoted by IRNA as saying Saturday noon.

According to Pirhossein Kolivand, head of the emergency services, dozens were injured people were rescued and taken to medical facilities.

Following heavy rainfall, Dez River in Khuzestan Province was flooded, trapping and killing three bystanders. Five bodies were also retrieved from the waters in Kordestan Province.

By Saturday noon, aid workers and rescuers had reached out to over 2,000 people in nearly 40 towns and villages. People in the affected regions have been provided emergency shelter.

Nearly 50 residential buildings were drained and 20 people taken to medical centers for treatment. Search operations continue for the missing.

Eight main roads in Tehran, Alborz, Gilan, Ardebil, Golestan and Semnan have been closed due to unsafe conditions, land subsidence, and overflowing rivers.

Rainfall continues in provinces of Kordestan, Ilam, Kermanshah, and Zanjan, and weather forecasts say the situation will persist throughout the week.