Rescue teams search for missing people after floods, landslides kill at least 16 people in Bosnia

JABLANICA, Bosnia-Herzegovina – Rescue teams searched for those still missing on Saturday after flash floods and landslides hit parts of Bosnia, killing at least 16 people and injuring scores more.

Construction equipment was working to clear piles of rocks and debris that covered downtown Jablanica after the rainstorm early Friday.

Large amounts of rain fell in the Jablanica area and nearby Konjic, causing sudden floods that invaded the homes of sleeping people.

Floodwaters also triggered landslides that collapsed roads and hills, covered villages in mud and cut off entire areas of land.

Bosnian media reports that stones from a nearby quarry fell on the village of Donja Jablanica, burying houses.

Alka Gusic, a resident of Donja Jablanica, lost her brother and his entire family while her own son was in the hospital. Overnight Friday, she said, a frightening rumbling woke her from her sleep.

“I thought it was an earthquake,” Gusic said. She waited until morning before setting off. “I saw my brother’s son being pulled out. He was lying on the ground – it was obvious (he was dead).”

“God help us,” she cried. “I lost four of them, the house was completely destroyed, no one was left alive, no one.”

Officials said at least 16 people have been confirmed dead so far, including a baby. At least ten are still missing and dozens are injured.

Rescuers cordoned off Jablanica and banned outsiders from entering during the search. Some houses were flooded up to their roofs and as the water receded, rescuers could be seen walking over piles of rubble left behind.

Near the town of Konjic, which was also affected by the storm, officials said some villages remained cut off from the storm on Saturday.

“Kilometers of roads no longer exist, almost all bridges have been destroyed,” Husein Hodzic from the local civil protection unit told regional television N1. “There is no electricity, all the electricity poles have been washed away. There are no phone lines.”

Bosnia's electoral authorities said local elections scheduled for Sunday in flood-affected municipalities will be postponed.

Human-caused climate change increases precipitation intensity as warm air retains more moisture. The Balkans also experienced long-lasting record temperatures this summer, which led to a drought. Scientists said the parched land had hindered the absorption of flood waters.

Floods have also been reported in Croatia and Montenegro in recent days, but they caused less damage and no fatalities.

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Jovana Gec contributed to this report from Belgrade, Serbia.