Updated

Iranian state TV is reporting that flash floods triggered by heavy rains have killed 17 people and left 20 missing in the country's northwest.

The Saturday report quotes Director General of Crisis Management in East Azarbaijan province, Khalil Saei, as saying: "Rescue teams have found 17 dead bodies after flash floods triggered by heavy rains in the cities of Ajabshir and Azarshahr."

Saei added that Red Crescent workers, air ambulances, police and army forces have been deployed from the early hours of the incident for providing aid."

In September, at least 10 people were killed in flash flooding in Tehran and Hormozgan provinces.