Severe flooding in Istanbul leaves three dead and five missing

Torrential rains that began on October 13, 2026, have caused catastrophic flooding across Istanbul, leading to three confirmed deaths and five missing persons. According to Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci, some areas received up to 272 kilograms of rainfall per square meter. Emergency services received over 8,800 distress calls, and Istanbul Governor Davut Gul confirmed that 3,050 people were rescued from floodwaters that inundated homes, subway stations, and businesses.

The casualties included a 14-year-old boy in Fatih who died from electrocution in a water-filled area, a 34-year-old man in Sariyer who died after slipping into floodwaters, and a third man whose body was recovered near Sadabat Park in Kagithane. Infrastructure damage was extensive, featuring collapsed walls at schools, flooded subway stations like Haciosman, and trapped commuters on major roads.

In response to the crisis, local authorities suspended education across the city to ensure public safety. Emergency response efforts, including the use of rescue boats and heavy machinery, continued through October 15 as authorities focused on locating the missing individuals and mitigating further damage from the extreme meteorological conditions.