٠٠:٠٣:٣٣Search and rescue operations continued on Saturday after severe floods and landslides that swept Bosnia’s central region Donja Jablanica claimed at least 21 lives with hundreds still missing.
Footage shows rescuers using excavators to clear dirt and debris surrounding damaged houses and properties in the area. Streets were also seen covered in rubble while railways were left muddied after the flooding.
"The storm came and it was over," local Smajo Tufek recalled. "I left the house and ran here. The water was carrying everything. And only when thunder hit you could see it was actually water around. At the first moment I thought the Jablanica dam had broken and that we were doomed."
He added that during the onset of the flooding and landslides, 'you could only hear screams', stating: "In all that rumble you couldn't hear anything and then you could hear screams again, people asking for help."
"A bit later, when it stopped - people with the torches were searching for survivors, others were answering their calls whoever was able to speak," he added.
Bosnia declared a state of emergency nationwide on Friday as heavy rains in Donja Jablanica and nearby Konjic caused flash floods and landslides. Rocks from a nearby quarry were also reported to have buried houses in the area, according to local media.
The flooding has also spilled over Bosnia and has reached Montenegro, cutting off the Komarnica village. Croatia experienced rising water levels in rivers, particularly near the Kupa River in Karlovac, which prompted flood warnings.
Bosnia's election commission postponed local elections this weekend in municipalities affected by floods, but mentioned that it will continue holding the polls in other areas.
'The storm came and it was over' - Search and rescue op underway after deadly floods and landslides hit Jablanica
Search and rescue operations continued on Saturday after severe floods and landslides that swept Bosnia’s central region Donja Jablanica claimed at least 21 lives with hundreds still missing.
Footage shows rescuers using excavators to clear dirt and debris surrounding damaged houses and properties in the area. Streets were also seen covered in rubble while railways were left muddied after the flooding.
"The storm came and it was over," local Smajo Tufek recalled. "I left the house and ran here. The water was carrying everything. And only when thunder hit you could see it was actually water around. At the first moment I thought the Jablanica dam had broken and that we were doomed."
He added that during the onset of the flooding and landslides, 'you could only hear screams', stating: "In all that rumble you couldn't hear anything and then you could hear screams again, people asking for help."
"A bit later, when it stopped - people with the torches were searching for survivors, others were answering their calls whoever was able to speak," he added.
Bosnia declared a state of emergency nationwide on Friday as heavy rains in Donja Jablanica and nearby Konjic caused flash floods and landslides. Rocks from a nearby quarry were also reported to have buried houses in the area, according to local media.
The flooding has also spilled over Bosnia and has reached Montenegro, cutting off the Komarnica village. Croatia experienced rising water levels in rivers, particularly near the Kupa River in Karlovac, which prompted flood warnings.
Bosnia's election commission postponed local elections this weekend in municipalities affected by floods, but mentioned that it will continue holding the polls in other areas.
Search and rescue operations continued on Saturday after severe floods and landslides that swept Bosnia’s central region Donja Jablanica claimed at least 21 lives with hundreds still missing.
Footage shows rescuers using excavators to clear dirt and debris surrounding damaged houses and properties in the area. Streets were also seen covered in rubble while railways were left muddied after the flooding.
"The storm came and it was over," local Smajo Tufek recalled. "I left the house and ran here. The water was carrying everything. And only when thunder hit you could see it was actually water around. At the first moment I thought the Jablanica dam had broken and that we were doomed."
He added that during the onset of the flooding and landslides, 'you could only hear screams', stating: "In all that rumble you couldn't hear anything and then you could hear screams again, people asking for help."
"A bit later, when it stopped - people with the torches were searching for survivors, others were answering their calls whoever was able to speak," he added.
Bosnia declared a state of emergency nationwide on Friday as heavy rains in Donja Jablanica and nearby Konjic caused flash floods and landslides. Rocks from a nearby quarry were also reported to have buried houses in the area, according to local media.
The flooding has also spilled over Bosnia and has reached Montenegro, cutting off the Komarnica village. Croatia experienced rising water levels in rivers, particularly near the Kupa River in Karlovac, which prompted flood warnings.
Bosnia's election commission postponed local elections this weekend in municipalities affected by floods, but mentioned that it will continue holding the polls in other areas.