The Istanbul floods were a severe flooding event caused by heavy rainfall in Turkey’s largest city. The downpour flooded homes and businesses, inundated roads and underpasses, stranded vehicles and disrupted traffic across Istanbul.

Officials reported at least three deaths and four people missing. More than 2,700 people who became stranded by the flooding were safely evacuated across the city.

The impacts were reported in several Istanbul districts, including Fatih, Sariyer and Kagithane. Floodwaters also swept away or displaced vehicles, partially submerged trucks and caused a creek to overflow.

Istanbul is a megacity in northwestern Turkey that straddles the Bosphorus between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. Flooding occurs repeatedly in Turkey, including in the Marmara region around Istanbul, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.