Storm causes injuries, damage in western Turkey

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A number of people suffered injuries Thursday when a violent storm struck İzmir province in western Turkey, according to its governor, Yavuz Selim Köşger.

He said 16 people were slightly injured due to a waterspout in Çeşme district.

Köşger said on social media that the Alacati neighborhood in Çeşme, as well as Urla district, experienced strong rain, hail and a waterspout Thursday night.

The city was also hit by heavy floods early this month.

The waterspout, which formed in the Alaçatı Port area, caused damage by overturning a crane and knocking over some vehicles.

Ünal Cakıcı, the district governor in Çeşme, told the state-run Anadolu Agency that one person's leg was broken and 15 people suffered light injuries.

Meanwhile, a tornado caused damage in Ayvalık district of western Balıkesir province.

According to initial reports, four roofs were torn off, windows were broken in 12 buildings, damage occurred to 20 vehicles and four boats sank.

Waterspouts and tornadoes are not unknown in Turkey, occurring mainly in the country's south.

Between 1980 and 2013, a total of 59 tornadoes were recorded across Turkey, according to the State Meteorological Service. (TP/VK)