4 dead, 3 missing as historic flash floods batter Istanbul

The death toll from severe flash floods in Istanbul has risen to four, with three others still missing, authorities announced on Friday, reported Xinhua.

Speaking to reporters in the hard-hit Ayazaga neighborhood of the Sariyer district, Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci confirmed the updated toll and described the disaster as the city's worst flood since 1942.

Search and rescue teams recovered the body of a 66-year-old man under a bridge along a creek in Ayazaga, Hurriyet newspaper said on its website.

As the waters receded in most districts, recovery work took center stage across the city of nearly 16 million. Residents and municipal crews are clearing thick mud and sludge from inundated homes, while teams continue to pump water out of submerged basements, broadcaster NTV reported.

Power outages persist in several areas, with Ayazaga remaining completely without electricity. Meanwhile, utility crews are unclogging storm drains, and insurance adjusters have begun evaluating widespread property and vehicle losses, according to live footage from the area.

The devastating floods were triggered by intense mid-week downpours, with rainfall reaching up to 272 kg per square meter in some parts of the city. The deluge paralyzed urban transportation and left residents stranded in buildings and on major roads, prompting emergency crews to rescue more than 3,000 people.

Turkish State Meteorological Service warned that heavy rain is expected to strike the region again on Saturday.