Istanbul hit by its worst floods since 1942; death toll rises to four
More rain fell in 48 hours than the city's usual September and October combined, Turkish authorities say, and more is forecast.
Torrential rain that began on the evening of Wednesday 14 October flooded streets, homes and businesses across Istanbul, a city of about 16 million people, and swept cars downhill. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi called it the city's biggest flood disaster since 1942.
By Friday the confirmed death toll had reached four, after the body of a 66-year-old man was found under a bridge in Ayazağa, in the northern district of Sarıyer. Earlier victims included a 14-year-old boy who was electrocuted in a flooded park in Balat and a 34-year-old who fell in floodwater in Sarıyer. Searches for missing people were still going on.
State news agency Anadolu reported that more rain fell in the 48 hours to Thursday morning than the historical average for September and October together. Municipal figures cited by Turkish Minute put rainfall in Beykoz at 273.1 mm, with more than 200 mm each in Sarıyer and Eyüpsultan.
Officials said about 46,000 workers were deployed for clean-up and rescue and that 9,850 flood-related reports had been received. The governor's office said 3,050 people had been rescued. Schools stayed closed on Friday and forecasters warned of more heavy rain over the weekend.
Environment Minister Murat Kurum, who will chair the COP31 climate conference in Antalya next month, linked the floods to climate change and said unfinished flood-control work along local waterways must be completed.
What we checked
- The 1942 comparison and the death toll of four are reported by AP (via NBC News) and Turkish Minute.
- Rainfall figures come from municipal data quoted by Turkish Minute and Anadolu.
Still unclear
- The number still missing changed several times on Friday.
- Whether a clean-up worker's death in Beykoz is counted in the official toll.
Sources
- NBC News / AP: Istanbul's worst floods in 80 years leave 4 dead (16 October 2026; accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Turkish Minute: Man found dead after disappearing in İstanbul flood as search continues for 3 others (16 October 2026; accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- AP News: Istanbul faces worst flooding since 1942 as death toll reaches 4 (16 October 2026; accessed 17 Oct 2026)
- Xinhua: Daily World Briefing, Oct. 16 (16 October 2026; accessed 17 Oct 2026)