Officials report at least 14 fatalities in Bosnia's most severe floods in years
At least 14 people have died in what officials are describing as the most severe flooding in Bosnia in years.
TroibNews 
At least 14 people lost their lives in floods across Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, with others reported missing as torrential rain and landslides obliterated homes, roads, and bridges throughout the central region, according to officials.
The municipality of Jablanica, situated around 70 km southwest of the capital Sarajevo, experienced complete isolation after the destruction of road and railway links.
Bosnia's inter-ethnic presidency, composed of a Bosniak, Serb, and Croat tripartite, reported that military assistance was requested for the broader Jablanica area. Engineers, rescue units, and a helicopter were dispatched, including efforts to save 17 individuals from a mental hospital.
Many homes were left in ruins due to the landslides, marking what seems to be Bosnia's most severe flooding since at least 2014, when more than 20 individuals perished in similar conditions.
"At least 14 dead were found in the Jablanica area," remarked Darko Jukan, a spokesperson for the cantonal government. "There are a lot of people reported missing."
"In some cases only parts of roofs can be seen. I cannot remember the crisis of such a magnitude since the war," he continued.
In central Bosnia, the town of Kiseljak was submerged after a river overflowed. Drone footage captured brown water lapping at the thresholds of businesses and residences, although the levels had begun to recede by Friday afternoon.
The Civil Defense of the Bosniak-Croat Federation indicated that the number of casualties might increase.
"There is information about casualties and a number of injured and missing," it stated in an announcement.
On the same day, neighboring Croatia also experienced flooding; however, no casualties have been reported. Authorities there issued severe weather warnings for the Adriatic coast and central parts of the country.
Similar warnings were released in Montenegro and Serbia.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
The municipality of Jablanica, situated around 70 km southwest of the capital Sarajevo, experienced complete isolation after the destruction of road and railway links.
Bosnia's inter-ethnic presidency, composed of a Bosniak, Serb, and Croat tripartite, reported that military assistance was requested for the broader Jablanica area. Engineers, rescue units, and a helicopter were dispatched, including efforts to save 17 individuals from a mental hospital.
Many homes were left in ruins due to the landslides, marking what seems to be Bosnia's most severe flooding since at least 2014, when more than 20 individuals perished in similar conditions.
"At least 14 dead were found in the Jablanica area," remarked Darko Jukan, a spokesperson for the cantonal government. "There are a lot of people reported missing."
"In some cases only parts of roofs can be seen. I cannot remember the crisis of such a magnitude since the war," he continued.
In central Bosnia, the town of Kiseljak was submerged after a river overflowed. Drone footage captured brown water lapping at the thresholds of businesses and residences, although the levels had begun to recede by Friday afternoon.
The Civil Defense of the Bosniak-Croat Federation indicated that the number of casualties might increase.
"There is information about casualties and a number of injured and missing," it stated in an announcement.
On the same day, neighboring Croatia also experienced flooding; however, no casualties have been reported. Authorities there issued severe weather warnings for the Adriatic coast and central parts of the country.
Similar warnings were released in Montenegro and Serbia.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
