At least 17 die in Bosnia floods, landslides expected to raise toll
A drone view shows a flooded residential area in Kiseljak, Bosnia and Herzegovina, October 4, 2024.(Reuters/Amel Emric)
At least 17 people have died as heavy rains caused severe flooding and landslides in central and southern Bosnia, according to local officials. The torrential downpours submerged towns, cut off roads, and left homes without power, prompting emergency responses across the region.
The Bosnian government has declared a state of emergency as rescue operations continue in the worst-hit areas. “For now, the bodies of 14 people have been found in Jablanica,” Darko Jukan, a regional government spokesman, told AFP. He added that the death toll is expected to rise as the search for missing persons continues.
Major towns cut off, rescue efforts underway
Jablanica and Kiseljak, two towns severely impacted by the flooding, remain largely inaccessible. Rescue teams are working to reach residents trapped in their homes, but ongoing rain and blocked roads have made the situation increasingly difficult. Local authorities have reported that power outages and communication breakdowns have further complicated rescue efforts.
“Jablanica is completely cut off, with no access to major roads or railways,” Jukan added, emphasizing the scale of the devastation. The Bosnian Civil Protection Agency has dispatched additional rescue teams, but conditions remain challenging.
Government mobilizes resources
Bosnia’s Defense Minister, Zukan Helez, has ordered the deployment of the Bosnian Armed Forces to assist with rescue operations in affected regions. “We are doing everything possible to provide aid to those in need,” Helez said, confirming that military units are actively involved in evacuation and relief efforts.
Prime Minister of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Nermin Niksic addressed the public, acknowledging the severity of the crisis: “The situation is critical, and unfortunately, there have been casualties. We will continue to provide updates as we receive them.”
Warnings issued as situation deteriorates
Residents in the northern and central regions of Bosnia have been urged to avoid traveling towards affected areas, particularly Konjic and Jablanica, as authorities warn of further floods and landslides.
With rivers continuing to rise and additional rainfall expected, local governments have declared parts of the region as disaster zones.
