Flash floods kill 21 in southeast Turkey

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey, Nov 1 (Reuters) Flash floods caused by torrential rain have killed 21 people across southeast Turkey, most swept away in their vehicles, officials said today.

Fourteen people died when floods overwhelmed a minibus in Cinar on the road from the region's largest city Diyarbakir as it travelled to a wedding in the neighbouring province of Mardin.

Another three people were killed in floods in Diyarbakir's Bismil district after hours of heavy rain overnight swept away many vehicles. Six people were still missing there.

Helicopters and boats supported rescue efforts in Cinar and Bismil, bringing to safety 300 people stranded in their homes.

Authorities sent a 25-strong search and rescue team to help with relief efforts in the southeastern province of Sirnak bordering Iraq, where four people died, including two infants.

Some houses were also damaged in the floods. Among the dead in Sirnak was a 70-year killed by falling debris from a house.

REUTERS SP BS1514