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Eleven people have been killed in flash floods triggered by heavy rain in a mountainous area of northern Iran.
Eleven people have been killed in flash floods triggered by heavy rain in a mountainous area of northern Iran.

State TV said authorities fear more casualties from the floods in the provinces of Tehran, Alborz and Qazvin. A Chinese national was reported to be among those killed.

The official IRNA news agency quoted local officials as saying that two women were among those killed and said at least 20 cars were swept away by the water, many with people inside them, including one with a just-married couple.

The area has been without electricity and rescue workers are still working, despite heavy rains overnight.

Authorities attribute the rising number of deadly flash floods in this part of the country to improper construction near river beds and deforestation.