Stranded 97-year-old man rescued by helicopter after floods in Turkey

KASTAMONU, Turkey

A 97-year-old man was rescued from his home in the flood-hit Black Sea region of Turkey, according to an official statement.

A helicopter descended to save Ahmet Kartal, along with his daughter and son-in-law, who were marooned in his home in the Bozkurt district of Kastamonu province, the area hit worst by the floods caused by heavy rains on Wednesday, leaving 44 people dead, a Disaster and Emergency Management Authority statement said.

The three were brought to a safe zone by helicopter.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, the elderly man's son-in-law, Musa Yildirim, expressed his gratitude after being rescued, saying he had never experienced such a disaster in his life.

Floods caused by heavy rains hit the Black Sea region in the north of the country on Wednesday, leaving 36 people dead in the province of Kastamonu, according to AFAD.

Seven others died in the Sinop province, while search efforts for one missing person were concluded in Bartin province.

Rescue and relief operations continue in the flood-hit areas.