26 dead and one missing after floods in Bosnia

The death toll from a series of devastating floods and landslides in Bosnia stands at 26 people. Rescue teams are still searching for at least one person following the floods.

Torrential rains and winds hit four communities in the south and central parts of the country on October 4, destroying homes and roads and cutting off power to several villages.

Ten days after the storm, rescue teams are still searching for the missing, including in the southern village of Jablanica, which was buried under a flood of stones from a quarry on the hill above.

19 people were killed in Jablanica alone, and a collective funeral is planned for Tuesday.

According to local media, over a thousand people came from surrounding towns to search for survivors and clear debris in the village after the flooding.

Residents of the town said they were awakened in the middle of the night by a thunderous rumble as floodwaters washed away their property.

Debris from the floods has clogged the famous Neretva River, a popular tourist destination within and outside Bosnia. The river, which is usually emerald green in color, is clogged with waste from the floods.

Bosnia has been hit by record temperatures this summer as three heatwaves led to disruptive power outages and threatened the country’s agricultural industry.

There was almost no rain in the country for an entire summer, and daytime temperatures fluctuated between 35°C and 40°C for several days in June, July and August.

Scientists believe that the drought caused by the extreme temperatures has hindered the easy absorption of flood water and increased the damage caused by floods.