Victims, closed city, power and communication problems: Bosnia and Herzegovina hit by massive flooding

Victims, a closed city, problems with electricity and communication: Bosnia and Herzegovina is experiencing massive flooding Yulia Murina

Flooding in Bosnia and Herzegovina/Screenshot from video AP

Heavy rains hit Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday night, killing at least 14 people in massive floods and landslides in several towns and villages in the central and southern parts of the country.

AP reports. Rescue services in the south reported several missing people. They also called on volunteers and the army to help, as roads were closed and homes were left without electricity.

Massive flooding in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Local administration spokesman Darko Djuka said at least 14 people were killed in the southern town of Jablanica and its surroundings.

These are the people rescuers found. We still don't know the final number of victims, the official stressed.

Defense Minister Zukan Helez said troops had been deployed to help and casualties had been reported.

The defense minister said: “Hour after hour we are receiving news of new victims… We have sent everyone we could. Our first priority is to save people who are alive and buried in houses where there are landslides.”

Media reports said a pregnant woman lost her baby after being rescued from the flooding and taken to hospital. Authorities said medics were also fighting for her life.

Rescue services in the towns of Jablanica and Kiseljak reported that the power was cut off overnight. There was also no mobile phone service.

The police told us that the railway is also blocked. Now you can neither enter nor leave Jablanica. Landline phones are working, but mobile phones have no signal, – the State Rescue Service stated.

Rescuers also called on people not to go out onto the flooded streets.