SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The death toll from flash floods triggered by heavy rains in Erbil on Friday rose to 12, the Kurdistan Region’s interior minister said on Friday.
Heavy rains triggered flash floods in several areas in Erbil early on Friday, causing casualties and damages to houses and cars of civilians.
Minister of Interior Rebar Ahmed said the death toll from the floods rose to 12. Authorities said earlier that 10 people had died in the floods.
He further said a committee had been formed to assess damages under the directive of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
“The death toll from the Erbil flood is not yet accurate, but it has so far been 12, including foreigners,” Ahmed said in a press conference.
The minister further said emergency units continued to search and assist people who had damages in the floods.
Earlier, Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw said five people from two families of Daratu sub-district died in the floods.
Another person was hit by lightning strike, he said in a statement.
“A child has gone missing,” he added.
In October, flash floods also caused severe damages to the several places in Erbil. Authorities said home furnishing and equipment of 500 families were “completely destroyed” in the floods.
As many as 130 cars, 127 houses, two schools and a number of other projects were also damaged in the floods.
