The destruction of roads and bridges has prompted the government to request aid as search operations continue to locate those still missing amidst the devastation.

“Our hearts and thoughts are with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, hit by devastating floods,” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X. “We have activated our EU Civil Protection Mechanism and are sending rescue teams on the ground. This is EU solidarity in action.”

A devastating landslide in the village of Donja Jablanica, southern Bosnia, has left at least 10 people unaccounted for, as rocks and rubble from a nearby quarry engulfed homes. Eyewitnesses reported a thunderous noise followed by the sudden disappearance of their houses, highlighting the urgency of search and rescue efforts in the aftermath of this disaster.

Death toll in worst Bosnian floods in years rises to 16, officials say

Reuters: DONJA JABLANICA, Bosnia, Oct 4 (Reuters) – At least 16 people died in floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday and many others were missing as torrential rain and landslides destroyed homes, roads and bridges across the centre of the country, officials said.

The municipality of Jablanica, about 70 km (43 miles) southwest of the capital Sarajevo, where the deaths were reported, was completely cut off after road and railway links were destroyed. Sixteen people were killed, most of them in the Jablanica area, cantonal interior ministry spokesperson Ljudevit Maric, told Reuters. “Search for the missing continues,” he said.

Update

Related

• International rescue teams arrive in Bosnia after devastating floods and landslides https://apnews.com/article/bosnia-floods-eu-help-missing-3c2545e71652ebdd3a18cd0701d200b4
• Rescuers in Bosnia search for people missing in deadly floods https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/5/rescuers-in-bosnia-search-for-people-missing-in-deadly-floods