Turkiye extends aid to Bosnia after devastating floods

Turkiye has pledged humanitarian assistance to Bosnia-Herzegovina following deadly floods and landslides that have claimed at least 19 lives and caused widespread destruction.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed deep condolences on Friday, confirming that efforts are underway to coordinate aid with local authorities in the Western Balkan nation.

The floods, triggered by continuous heavy rainfall, have devastated towns and villages, especially in central and southern Bosnia.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives caused by heavy rains and landslides," the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated, adding that Türkiye stands ready to provide "all kinds of humanitarian aid" to its long-standing ally.

The Turkish Red Crescent echoed this support, announcing that teams are already on the ground working alongside Bosnia's Red Cross Society.

"Our priority is to support the affected communities swiftly and effectively," the organization said in a message shared on X (formerly Twitter), noting that emergency food supplies and clean water were being distributed to impacted areas.

Bosnia-Herzegovina declared a state of emergency as the death toll reached 19 on Saturday, with many still missing.

The ongoing floods, described as the worst since 2014, have severely impacted infrastructure, leaving entire towns without power or communication.

In Jablanica, one of the hardest-hit areas, rescue teams are working to locate the missing as homes have been swept away by surging floodwaters.

Drone footage from local media shows entire villages submerged, with roads, bridges, and railways destroyed. In the southern region, train lines and highways connecting Sarajevo to the Adriatic coast have been washed away by landslides, cutting off crucial transport routes.

Rescue efforts are being led by Bosnia’s civil defense, military units, and volunteers.

In Jablanica, 16 of the confirmed deaths occurred, and authorities fear the toll will rise as rescue operations continue.

Roads leading into affected areas remain blocked, hindering efforts to reach isolated communities.

Despite the challenges, emergency teams successfully evacuated some trapped individuals, including a child, though a pregnant woman tragically lost her baby after being rescued and rushed to a hospital.

The floods have also affected neighboring countries, with Croatia experiencing flash floods and road closures in parts of Zagreb.

The Sava River is at risk of overflowing, and severe weather warnings have been issued across the region, including Montenegro and Serbia.

Experts are linking the extreme weather events, including the recent floods, to climate change. This disaster follows an unprecedented summer drought that dried up rivers and lakes across the Balkans, highlighting the growing vulnerability of the region to climate-related disasters.

Bosnia’s Transport Minister Edin Forto described the situation as catastrophic, stating, "Houses were ripped from their foundations and carried away."

As Bosnia continues to recover from the floods, international aid and support, including Türkiye's rapid response, are critical in helping the country navigate the ongoing crisis.