Deadly Floods Devastate Istanbul: Three Killed, Thousands Rescued as Torrential Rain Submerges Roads and Homes

Istanbul overwhelmed by torrential rainfall as deadly floods sweep through the city

Torrential rain has brought widespread flooding to Istanbul, Turkey, leaving at least three people dead, four others missing, and thousands stranded as floodwaters swept through streets, homes, and businesses. The powerful downpour submerged major roads and underpasses, trapped vehicles, and brought parts of the city of approximately 16 million people to a standstill.

The worst flooding followed heavy rainfall on Wednesday night, October 14, after nearly two days of persistent rain. Water rushed through residential neighborhoods, flooded underground passages, and turned busy streets into fast-moving streams.

Some districts recorded between 130 and 273 millimeters of rainfall, according to Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan, who described the storm as one of the heaviest rainfall events the city has experienced in recent years.

Emergency crews worked through the night to rescue people trapped in flooded buildings and workplaces, while authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

Three people killed, four missing as floodwaters sweep through Istanbul

The Istanbul governor's office confirmed on Thursday, October 15, that at least three people had died in the flooding, while four others were reported missing.

Among the victims was 14-year-old Mahmut Işıldak, who died after being electrocuted during the storm in the Fatih district.

According to local reports, the teenager had removed his shoes to keep them dry before stepping onto electrical cables in a flooded area. He suffered a fatal electric shock. Mahmut, who had five siblings, had lost his father just six months earlier. Police have opened an investigation into the circumstances of his death.

Another victim, a 34-year-old man identified as S. J., slipped on a sidewalk while attempting to cross a flooded street in the Sarıyer district. He suffered a fatal head injury.

The third victim, a man believed to be around 40 years old, was found near a stream in the Kağıthane district. His body was discovered caught against a pillar beneath a bridge.

Thousands evacuated as rescue teams battle rising floodwaters

Emergency services carried out rescue operations across Istanbul as rising water levels trapped residents, motorists, and workers.

Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi reported that more than 2,700 people stranded by the floods had been safely evacuated. Another report cited 595 evacuated residents, reflecting different figures released during the emergency.

In several neighborhoods, the force of the water swept people and vehicles away. Some residents managed to save themselves by grabbing onto fixed objects, while others needed assistance from rescue teams or nearby civilians.

In one incident, passersby rescued a woman who had been carried away by floodwaters. In Sarıyer, two people were swept into the rushing water but survived after managing to hold onto solid structures.

One of the most dramatic rescue operations took place at the Phoenix film studio in the Ayazağa neighborhood of Sarıyer.

Turkish singer Murat Boz, actress Demet Özdemir, and hundreds of other people were trapped inside the flooded studio complex. Rescue teams used boats to evacuate those stranded at the site.

Historic markets flooded, roads submerged and bridge walls collapse

Across Istanbul, floodwaters entered residential buildings, commercial properties, and underground passages, leaving vehicles stranded and causing widespread traffic disruption.

In the historic Fatih district, water flooded the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, two of Istanbul's best-known marketplaces.

In Beykoz, on the Asian side of the city, heavy rainfall caused structural damage to a bridge over the Çamlıbahçe stream in Tokatköy.

The bridge's side walls collapsed, forcing authorities to close the road to traffic. Several vehicles parked on the bridge were left leaning against metal safety barriers.

The flooding also affected areas beyond Istanbul.

In Sakarya province, Turkey, approximately 150 kilometers east of Istanbul, a two-story house built on a riverbed collapsed during the floods, according to HaberTurk television. Authorities had not immediately established whether anyone was inside the building.

Flights diverted as severe weather disrupts air travel

The storm also affected international air travel, disrupting flights between Belgrade, Serbia, and Istanbul.

Air Serbia announced that flights operating between the two cities had been diverted to an airport in Izmir, Turkey, because of unfavorable weather conditions.

The airline arranged bus transportation from Izmir to Istanbul for affected passengers.

Passengers booked on flight JU423 were transferred to alternative services to Belgrade scheduled for Thursday, October 15.

Schools closed as authorities warn residents to stay indoors

The flooding forced authorities to suspend classes across Istanbul, with school closures extended through Friday, October 16.

Schools were already closed on Thursday, and students were expected to return to classrooms on Monday, October 19, according to Turkish newspaper Hürriyet.

Some government employees were also placed on leave, while motorcycles were prohibited from using the roads because of dangerous conditions.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül urged residents to remain indoors unless travel was absolutely necessary. He also advised people living in basement apartments to spend the night on higher floors because of the continuing flood risk.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday morning, Gül warned:
“Rainfall in Istanbul will continue for another two to three days. Do not go outside unless it is absolutely necessary."

The governor described the rainfall as the highest recorded in Istanbul since measurements began in 1942.

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality separately reported that some parts of the city had experienced their highest rainfall totals since 1985.

More heavy rain expected across Istanbul and surrounding areas

The threat of further flooding remains as meteorologists forecast additional rainfall across Istanbul and nearby regions in the coming days.

The Istanbul governor's office warned that another period of heavy rain was expected from Friday morning, October 16, particularly across the European side of Istanbul, northern districts, and the eastern part of Kırklareli province.

The Turkish meteorological agency also forecast further showers for Istanbul and the surrounding region.

Authorities continued to urge residents to limit travel, particularly in areas already affected by flooding and on roads where water levels remained dangerous.

Turkey experiences an unusually wet year as extreme rainfall events increase

The devastating flooding comes during an unusually wet year across Turkey, according to a climate report published in September 2026.

The report found that precipitation between January and August 2026 was 54 percent above the 1991-2020 average.

Heavy rainfall and flooding accounted for approximately one-third of all extreme weather events recorded in the country during the first eight months of the year.

The October storm has added to the impact of these unusually wet conditions, with extensive flooding across Istanbul, damage to infrastructure, and further rainfall forecast for the region.