At least 7 dead, 12 missing amid heavy rains and flooding in Iranian city of Mashhad

By Haydar Sahin

TEHRAN, Iran (AA) - Heavy rainfall Wednesday in Mashhad, Iran’s second most populous city, has left at least seven people dead and 12 missing, local media reported.

Mashhad Municipality Fire Department Chief Hamidreza Kafiniya said seven people died in flooding, including two who were trapped in a submerged car in Mashhad Inkilap Square and a mother and her four children who died while trapped in their home.

The fire brigade began aiding flood victims in the afternoon, continuing search and rescue operations.

Muhsin Zakiriyan, the head of the Razavi Khorasan Red Crescent, said 12 people were missing.

Mashhad Governor Mohsen Daveri said at least 250 families in 150 damaged homes were relocated to different parts of the city and surrounding villages.

Social media footage showed roads closed in some parts of the city, vehicles submerged in water and some people trying to recover their vehicles.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul