Nov. 10 (UPI) — Flash floods in Jordan Friday have killed 12 people, the country’s Civil Defense said Saturday.
A young girl and a civil defense team diver are among the victims, Civil Defense spokesman Iyad al-Amro said.
Al-Amro told Al Arabiya that search operations are underway by the Jordanian Armed Forces and the General Directorate of Gendermerie.
Heavy rains triggered the flashed floods, which led to authorities evacuating more than 3,500 tourists from the city of Petra in southern Jordan Friday and highway gridlock in the Daba’a region, CNN reported. A number of vehicles were left stranded as the highway flooded and traffic trapped those trying to leave.
Government spokesperson Jumana Ghunaimat said the number of people rescued had reached “thousands, including more than 3,000 people in the Petra region.”
On Oct. 25, a flash flood killed at least 18 people, mostly school children and teachers.
