Flooding kills 17 in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo, May 18 (IANS) At least 17 people have been killed in floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), authorities said Saturday.

In Doboji, rescuers found the bodies of six victims, said Gojko Vasic, police director of the Republika Srpska, adding that they were apparently drowned in fast water, Xinhua reported.

The Republika Srpska was hit hard during the flooding and has registered 10 deaths so far. The government has announced a state of emergency in the BiH entity.

Elsewhere in BiH, two women were killed in Maglaj, while many people were killed in landslides across the Balkan state.

Several villages have been cut off from outside and rescuers are trying to reach those trapped inside. The armed forces of BiH and the EUFOR have sent helicopters to help evacuate trapped citizens.

The flooding was caused by heavy rains, worst in some 120 years in the region. The US, the European Union and neighbouring countries have also sent in rescuers, boats, helicopters and medicines to assist in rescue operations.