Tote, in Kroatien. Bosnien bei Überschwemmungen und Unwettern

 

 Floods and Landslides Leave 18 Dead in Bosnia

Houses and a mosque partially buried by a landslide in Donja Jablanica and Glogosnica. Photo: Mountain Association "Prenj, Glogosnica 1979".

Hamdi Firat Buyuk

Sarajevo

BIRN

October 4, 202415:04

A state of natural disaster has been declared in Bosnia after heavy rainfall overwhelmed homes and roads, causing a series of fatalities, including a baby.

Bosnia has declared a state of natural disaster after heavy rains caused floods and landslides on Friday that left at least 18 dead and cut transport links, officials said.

Rescue operations are under way in the worst-hit parts of the country, the Herzegovina and Central Bosnia regions. However, by Friday evening rescuers were still not able to reach some areas due to bad conditions. The government announced extra funds and additional army units for the disaster area.

Residential areas and roads were hit by flash floods and landslides in Donja Jablanica and Glologosnica. Photo: Mountain Association “Prenj, Glogosnica 1979”.

“Our priority is saving lives,” Deputy Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vojin Mijatovic said in a press conference on Friday.

Search and rescue operations are being carried out with the help of civil protection units, Red Cross teams and teams from the Mountain Rescue Service. The army has sent waterborne troops to reach flooded locations.

A flooded street following flash floods in Kiseljak, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photo: EPA-EFE/NIDAL SALJIC

“Due to large floods and landslides, a large number of the population is at risk.. there are victims as well as a large number of injured and missing people,” the Civil Protection Administration in the Federation entity, one of two political entities in the country, said in a statement.

Darko Juka, head of public relations for the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, one of the worst hit zones, confirmed that a baby was one of the 14 dead. But he warned the number of deaths and injuries could rise.

The road between Sarajevo and Mostar cannot be used due to landslides. Photo: N1

“We do not know the exact number yet. I do not remember a crisis like this since the [Bosnian] war; the scale of this chaotic situation is terrifying,” Juka, told news website Klix.ba.

Some parts of the city of Jablanica in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton have lost all road connections due to the floods. The road between Sarajevo and Mostar was also reportedly badly damaged.

Partially submerged vehicles are seen at a parking lot following flash floods in Kiseljak. Photo: EPA-EFE/NIDAL SALJIC

“At the moment, the most critical situation is in Donja Jablanica, which is completely cut off from the world,” Juka said.

Other cities and towns affected include Jablanica and Konjic in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton and Kiseljak, Fojnica and Kresevo in Central Bosnia Canton.

Neighbouring countries pledged to send support. “Serbia is ready to help Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said.

A man cleans up the flood waters and debris brought by the flash floods in Kiseljak. Photo: EPA-EFE/NIDAL SALJIC

NOTE: This article was updated on October 4, 2024 to include an increased death toll.