Istanbul rainstorm floods historic Grand Bazaar and leaves one dead in underpass

Heavy rains have hit the Turkish city of Istanbul, flooding streets and basements, stranding drivers on roads and disrupting rail and ferry services. At least one person was found dead inside a flooded underpass, the private DHA news agency reported.

Haberturk television said Saturday's rainstorm flooded Istanbul's historic Grand Bazaar - a sprawling complex of covered alleyways lined with shops.

The heavy downpour also flooded a pedestrian underpass lined with stalls and video footage showed merchandise floating in the almost waist-high flood waters.

Authorities suspended ferry services across the Bosporus and some tram services were also halted.

A car was dragged into a pit caused by a collapsed road but its passengers escaped without injuries, Haberturk reported.