At least 53 people have died in floods in Iran

At least 53 people have died in floods in Iran.

At least 53 people were killed in floods caused by heavy rains that affected areas near Tehran, Iran, Iranian officials said.

Mehdi Walipur, head of emergency operations at the Red Crescent Society, told Iranian state television that 16 people were missing after two days of flooding that affected 400 towns and villages in 18 of Iran’s 31 provinces.

Many highways were closed and the worst affected area was Firuz Ku, at the foot of the Alborz mountains northeast of the capital Tehran, where at least ten people were killed, Tehran Governor Mohsen Mansuri told state television.

Flooding still ravaged northern areas of Tehran province today, he said, adding that despite repeated warnings, climbers were still heading towards Firuz Ku.

The town of Firuz Ko, which is about 140 kilometers from Tehran, is a favorite retreat for tourists because of its cool summer temperatures, and the trails in the area are popular for hikers.

Otherwise, the US has reported at least eight deaths as a result of storms and torrential rains.