21.05.2026 17:00
Heavy rainfall that was effective throughout the night in Hatay brought flooding. As the Asi River overflowed, roads turned into lakes, bridges collapsed, and vehicles were swept away by the waters. While many homes were also submerged, the number of fatalities rose to 3 after the lifeless body of 62-year-old Şahut Kimyonok, who had gone missing after being swept away by floodwaters, was found.
The number of people who lost their lives in the flood disaster in Hatay has risen to 3, with the discovery of the missing person.
DIED IN CAR THAT FELL INTO STREAM BED
The heavy rain that was effective last night in Hatay caused flooding. Life across the city came to a standstill. Due to the downpour that was effective during the night hours, a road collapse occurred near the Subaşı Overpass on the Defne-Samandağ ring road. At that time, the car with license plate 31 FH 207, driven by Nedim Habeşoğlu, went out of control and fell into the stream bed by the roadside.
112 Emergency Health, fire brigade, and police teams were dispatched to the scene. Health teams determined that the driver Habeşoğlu, who was trapped in the vehicle, died at the scene. Habeşoğlu's body was taken to the Defne State Hospital morgue.
VEHICLES TRAPPED UNDER RETAINING WALL
In the Bağrıyanık neighborhood of Antakya district, a retaining wall of a road collapsed due to the rain. 5 vehicles were damaged as a result of the collapse. Hamza Çeker, one of the residents, told reporters that the road had collapsed before. Stating that the road had been repaired many times but collapsed again, Çeker said, "The rain was heavy, but we did not expect this much. Currently, 5 of our vehicles are in trouble, and we have serious damages."
Meanwhile, some houses and workplaces in the district were flooded, and fire brigade teams rescued citizens who were stranded in their homes.
PART OF THE BRIDGE COLLAPSED
A collapse occurred in one section of the Karaçay Bridge on the Antakya-Samandağ ring road. Traffic in the area is being provided one-way. In the Samandağ district, some vehicles were swept away to the Çevlik Coast due to the rain.
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MASATLI
Hatay Governor Mustafa Masatlı stated in his statement that the rain, which started at 11:00 across the province yesterday, intensified as of 17:00, and they came together with institutions under a "yellow code" alert.
However, Masatlı noted that they received much more rainfall than the amount indicated by the meteorological warning, and continued as follows: "Our rainfall amount per square meter is 157.2 kilograms, which of course indicates excessive rainfall. We have received a total of 1,044 notifications so far, and our relevant disaster groups are responding to the notifications with 374 teams, 498 vehicles, and 1,230 personnel. Today, we expect the rain to continue intermittently and in showers, decreasing in intensity. Our relevant teams have been on the field since the rain started to prevent any negative incidents, and we are also on the field."
3 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES
Masatlı reminded that a 15-year-old citizen died in a collapsed house in the central Antakya district due to the rain, and 4 people were injured, while a driver lost his life in Defne district. The lifeless body of 62-year-old Şahut Kimyonok, who had gone missing after being swept away by floodwaters, was also found.
Wishing God's mercy upon those who lost their lives, and offering condolences and patience to their relatives, Masatlı stated that damage and loss assessment efforts continue.
25 THOUSAND DECARES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS DAMAGED
Emphasizing that teams are currently in the field and have taken all necessary measures, especially regarding risky areas, Masatlı said: "As of now, we have determined that agricultural products on approximately 25 thousand decares in 4 districts of our province—Antakya, Defne, Kumlu, and Samandağ—have been damaged. On the other hand, our teams have determined that 10,500 poultry, 80 cattle, and 40 sheep and goats have perished."
SCHOOLS CLOSED
Masatlı noted that some districts were more affected by the rain, one of which is Samandağ. Masatlı stated that they have suspended education today in all schools in Samandağ district and in 5 schools in various areas of Antakya district.