This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6105552.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Many dead in Turkey flash floods Many dead in Turkey flash floods
(about 22 hours later)
At least 20 people have died in severe flooding across south-eastern Turkey, many swept away by deluges caused by overnight torrential rain.At least 20 people have died in severe flooding across south-eastern Turkey, many swept away by deluges caused by overnight torrential rain.
Victims included a party of 14 wedding guests travelling in a minibus from Diyarbakir to neighbouring Mardin.Victims included a party of 14 wedding guests travelling in a minibus from Diyarbakir to neighbouring Mardin.
Helicopters and boats are struggling to rescue some 300 people trapped in their flooded homes in Cinar and Bismil.Helicopters and boats are struggling to rescue some 300 people trapped in their flooded homes in Cinar and Bismil.
Officials have warned that heavy rains, which began over the weekend, are likely to continue in the region.Officials have warned that heavy rains, which began over the weekend, are likely to continue in the region.
In Cinar, a woman and her two children drowned when water flooded into their house, AFP news agency reported.In Cinar, a woman and her two children drowned when water flooded into their house, AFP news agency reported.
The agency quoted district governor Haci Mehmet Kara as saying two young siblings had also died in similar circumstances in Silopi.The agency quoted district governor Haci Mehmet Kara as saying two young siblings had also died in similar circumstances in Silopi.
Many of the homes in the poor, mainly Kurdish south-east of Turkey are constructed with mud bricks and cannot withstand floods and earthquakes.Many of the homes in the poor, mainly Kurdish south-east of Turkey are constructed with mud bricks and cannot withstand floods and earthquakes.
'We are helpless''We are helpless'
Military rescue teams, in helicopters and dinghies, plucked stranded people from the roofs of houses or from streets as floodwaters streamed around them.Military rescue teams, in helicopters and dinghies, plucked stranded people from the roofs of houses or from streets as floodwaters streamed around them.
Other areas of Turkey were badly affected by the storms, including the southern Mediterranean coast and the west of the country, with parts of eastern Istanbul also under water.Other areas of Turkey were badly affected by the storms, including the southern Mediterranean coast and the west of the country, with parts of eastern Istanbul also under water.
"We are helpless," said Mayor Muharrem Ergul, of the Beykoz district of Istanbul."We are helpless," said Mayor Muharrem Ergul, of the Beykoz district of Istanbul.
"We're trying to rescue trapped people while also trying to evacuate flood waters that have inundated hundreds of houses," he told the Associated Press."We're trying to rescue trapped people while also trying to evacuate flood waters that have inundated hundreds of houses," he told the Associated Press.
In one part of the district 100 children were stranded in a school for several hours.In one part of the district 100 children were stranded in a school for several hours.
Sparsely inhabited areas were also badly hit, with farmers fearing for their livelihoods.Sparsely inhabited areas were also badly hit, with farmers fearing for their livelihoods.
Hundreds of animals were killed and vast cotton fields were under water.Hundreds of animals were killed and vast cotton fields were under water.