Death toll rises to 40 in floods in northern Turkey

At least 40 people have died in the floods that have affected three provinces on Turkey's northern coast since Wednesday, Turkish authorities said on Saturday.

"Thirty-four citizens in Kastamonu and six citizens in Sinop have lost their lives as a result of the floods," the Afad rescue team said in a statement, raising the death toll from 31 reported on Friday. "Nine people are still being treated in various hospitals," the statement added.

The torrential rains have destroyed homes, roads and several major bridges, leaving hundreds of people isolated in several localities.

The worst affected was Bozkurt, with a population of 5,400, where the water level reached four metres after a stream burst its banks.

The water undermined the foundations of several buildings and left dozens of people trapped.

Rescue teams are still working this morning at the Ölçer flats in the worst affected area, where several people are believed to be trapped.

There are no official figures on the number of missing, but Turkish broadcaster NTV, citing Afad sources, says there have been reports of more than 100 missing.

More than 1,700 people have been evacuated by land and helicopters and have been temporarily housed in student dormitories in the area.

Turkish emergency services have mobilised a team of 2,500 search and rescue workers, with 313 vehicles, nine helicopters and 30 boats.