International rescue teams arrive in Bosnia after floods

Rescue teams from Bosnia's neighbours and European Union countries Sunday have joined efforts to clear up the ruins and find people still extinct from floods and landslides that destroyed parts of the Balkan country.

Bosnia called for EU assistance after a heavy storm of rain during Friday night left entire areas underwater and waste destroyed roads and bridges, killing at least 18 people and hurting dozens more.

Officials said at least 10 people are still undiscovered, many of them in the village of Jablanica and the Low, in southern Bosnia, which was buried almost entirely on rocks and ruins from a quay on an upper hill, reports the Associated Press.

The inhabitants there have said that they have heard the thunder of thunder, and have seen the house waste away before their eyes.

Luigi Soreca, who heads the EU mission in Bosnia, said on X that the EU stands with Bosnia and that teams are coming to help. Bosnia is a candidate country for membership in the 27-nation bloc.

Authorities said Croatian rescuers have already arrived, while a team from Serbia is expected to deploy in the afternoon, followed by a Slovenian dog team. Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Poland, Czechia and Turkey have also offered assistance, a government statement said.

Sunday is the date of local elections in Bosnia. Election authorities have postponed voting in flood-hit regions, but floods have overshadowed the vote across the country.