Floods that hit northern Turkey leave 17 dead, 1 missing

Turkish authorities say the death toll from the severe floods and mudslides that struck the north of the country has risen to 17

ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkish authorities said Thursday the death toll from the severe floods and mudslides that struck the north of the country has risen to 17. One other person is reported missing. The floods battered the Black Sea coastal provinces of Bartin, Kastamonu, Sinop and Samsun on Wednesday, demolishing homes and bridges and sweeping away cars. Helicopters scrambled to rescue people stranded on rooftops. As floodwaters began to recede across the affected regions in Turkey's north, a statement from the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, or AFAD, said rescuers had recovered six bodies in Kastamonu. Later Thursday, nine more bodies were found in the worst-hit town of Bozkurt, in Kastamonu, and two bodies were found in Sinop. An 80-year-old woman was reported missing in Bartin province.