Landslide hits Türkiye’s Samsun district, rescue efforts ongoing

A landslide occurred in Samsun’s Canik district, resulting in the entrapment of a vehicle under debris, killing three. The incident took place near a gas station, specifically at the car wash area next to a shopping mall on the Samsun-Ordu highway.

The landslide, which was caused by rock and soil falling from a nearby mountain, trapped the vehicle, and search and rescue teams have been dispatched to the area.

According to initial reports, one person was rescued from the rubble as a father is killed in the landslide alongside his two daughters.

Health teams have been called to assist in the operations. The vehicle’s occupants are believed to include a woman, her husband, and their children, with the woman already rescued and taken to the hospital.

Samsun’s mayor, Halit Dogan, stated that preliminary investigations suggest the landslide might have been triggered by rainfall that loosened rocks in the area.

He emphasized that no road closure has occurred and expressed hope for the safe rescue of the trapped individuals. The ongoing rescue efforts aim to bring the remaining people to safety, with no confirmed casualties at this stage.

Samsun Governor Orhan Tavli also confirmed that rescue teams were working to reach the vehicle, with one individual having been taken to the hospital, and the other three still trapped inside. There have been reports that no sounds were detected from the vehicle during the search efforts.

The authorities continue to monitor the situation, as there is still a risk of further landslides in the area.