emergencies
Storm in Iran: death toll rises to 69
Rescuers on duty after the floods in Iran. photo
© Iranian Red Crescent Society/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Almost the entire country was hit by storms. There are 37,000 homeless and the death toll is increasing.
In Iran, the death toll after the severe storms of the last three days has risen to at least 69. This was announced by the Iranian Ministry of the Interior on Sunday, according to the Isna news agency.
Across the country, rescue workers continued to search desperately for missing people. So far there have been over 40 seriously injured and 37,000 homeless, and more than 20,000 houses have been reported to have been severely damaged. Storms have hit 24 of the country’s 31 provinces, including the capital Tehran, in the past 72 hours.
Since storms and flooding are also expected in the next few days, the authorities fear more deaths. On Sunday, it was still too early for the government to determine the extent of the damage, which experts estimate is likely to be in the billions. President Ebrahim Raisi promised financial aid to those affected, but due to the current economic crisis it is unclear when the aid money can be paid out.