01.02.2026 14:53
As the scale of the flood disaster that occurred in Mersin and its districts on Friday increases, the fearful moments and hardships of the local people continue to come to light. While water drainage efforts are ongoing in the affected areas, the situation of lost vehicles and agricultural lands raises concerns.
After the heavy rains that were effective in Mersin on Friday, floods and inundations occurred throughout the city. While water accumulations and mud formed due to overflowing riverbeds negatively affected daily life in some areas, water drainage and cleaning efforts were quickly initiated after the rains stopped. The damage caused by the flood is growing day by day. While teams continue their damage assessment work, it has been revealed that many vehicles were damaged, and some vehicles swept away by the flood are still missing.
FRIGHTENING MOMENTS CAPTURED ON CELL PHONE CAMERA
The damage is significant in Doğlu Neighborhood, a rural area of Mezitli district, where the iconic images of the flood disaster in Mersin were recorded. In the area affected by the flood, many vehicles and houses were impacted, and agricultural lands also suffered great damage. It was reported that 2 cars swept away by the flood are still missing, while 2 motorcycles were found after searches.
"WE BARELY ESCAPED"
On the other hand, Medet Güneri, who recorded the terrifying moments during the disaster with his cell phone, shared his experiences with an İHA reporter. Güneri stated that he felt a flood would occur during the rains, saying, "There were 30-40 vehicles by the riverbank. We had them moved with the village headman, and only 2 vehicles were left. At that moment, the flood came. We didn't know what to do. When you are in pain, you say 'mother', when you are scared, you say 'My Lord'. I also said 'My Lord'. We experienced a great fear. In the meantime, those 2 vehicles were swept away by the flood. I shouted so much to warn them that if the drivers had gotten into their vehicles, they would have gone with the flood as well," he said. Burak Şahin, whose vehicle was swept away by the flood, stated that they were in the mosque for Friday prayers shortly before the incident, saying, "We saw that the river started to overflow. We ran to the vehicles, hoping to make it in time. We started the car, but it wouldn't move back because dirt was blocking it. As it started to slide forward, my friend and I threw ourselves out of the vehicle and saved ourselves," he said. Kılıç mentioned that his own vehicle was swept away in the water and got stuck against a house, while the other vehicle next to it was also swept away by the flood and is still missing.
THE BALANCE SHEET OF THE DISASTER CAPTURED FROM THE AIR
On the other hand, the damage caused by the flood in Doğlu Neighborhood was captured by a drone. The footage clearly showed the destruction left by the overflowing river, the damaged agricultural areas, and the traces of the flood.
TERRIFYING MOMENTS RECORDED SECOND BY SECOND
In the images reflected in Medet Güneri's cell phone camera, moments when the river's flow increased, the panic experienced as the water overflowed, and citizens fleeing to higher ground can be seen. The footage also captured moments when two people tried to save their vehicles, and when they were unsuccessful, they got out of the vehicle and moved away as the vehicles were swept away by the floodwaters.