Flash floods in Istanbul kill three, leave four missing after torrential rain

Flash floods struck Istanbul after torrential rain on Wednesday night, leaving three people dead and four missing, according to officials. The flooding submerged neighbourhoods, stranded thousands and prompted a large-scale rescue effort in a city of about 16 million.

More than 2,700 people were evacuated, while emergency services received over 2,500 weather-related reports, including 1,277 floods and 15 landslides. More than 800 homes, 280 businesses and 76 vehicles were affected, and 46 planes could not land at Istanbul airports; further rain was forecast, and schools were ordered closed on Friday.