At least 15 killed in severe flooding after heavy rainstorm hits Bosnia

SARAJEVO — Heavy flooding and landslides in Bosnia and Herzegovina killed at least 15 people on Friday after a severe rainstorm ravaged the country overnight.

Authorities say several people are still missing, and the army and local volunteers have been called in to help with rescue operations.

Bosnia’s Defence Minister Zukan Helez told local media that troops had been engaged to help in rescue and recovery missions.

“Hour after hour we are receiving news about new victims … We sent everyone we could. Our first priority is to save the people who are alive and buried in houses where the landslides are,” Helez said.

Most of those killed — 14 — were reported in Jablanica, while another person died in the town of Fojnica near Kiseljak, according to domestic media. Konjic, Kreševo and Buturović polje were also affected by the flooding.

The Jablanica fire station said the Herzegovinian town was completely inaccessible because roads and train lines were swept away or blocked by debris.

“You can’t get in or out of Jablanica at the moment,” the state rescue service said. “Landline phones are working, but mobile phones have no signal.”

Aerial drone footage broadcast on Bosnian outlets shows villages and towns completely submerged underwater, while videos on social media show scenes of muddy torrents and damaged roads.

Photos also show that one of the busiest roads linking Sarajevo to Mostar and further to the Adriatic coast via Jablanica has been swept into the Neretva river together with a railway line in a huge landslide.

“Many people are endangered because of big waters and landslides. There is information about victims and many injured and missing persons,” said the civic protection service.

Reports said surging waters swept away domestic animals and cars as the water swiftly filled up the lower floors of buildings.

Authorities urged people to stay on the upper floors of their homes and not to venture out onto flooded streets.

The heavy rains and strong winds were also reported in neighboring Croatia where several roads were closed and the capital of Zagreb prepared for the swollen Sava River to burst its banks.

Montenegro, Bosnia’s southeastern neighbor, has also seen torrential rains, cutting off some villages and flooding roads and homes. — BBC