Turkish flood deaths hit 57; dozens still missing

By ZEYNEP BILGINSOY
Associated Press

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey’s disaster agency says the death toll from severe coastal flooding and mudslides has climbed to at least 57 people. Turkish authorities, however, are disputing reports that say many more could be missing and the interior minister said 77 cases of missing person remained. Torrential rains that pounded the Black Sea provinces of Bartin, Kastamonu and Sinop caused flooding that demolished homes, severed at least five bridges, swept away cars and rendered numerous roads unpassable. The Turkish disaster agency AFAD said Saturday that at least 48 people were killed in Kastamonu, eight in Sinop and one in Bartin. Flooding across the Black Sea in southern Russia also flooded more than 1,400 homes.