A team of 46 Slovenian civil protection and rescue staff and six dogs have joined the rescue efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the wake of devastating floods, which have claimed at least 16 lives while many are still missing.

A convoy of 16 vehicles, carrying the rescuers, dogs and advanced equipment, headed to the flood-hit country on 6 October, just hours after the government responded to Bosnia's request for aid through the EU civil protection mechanism.

Having arrived in the country, the team started helping in the search for the missing persons, Slovenia's Civil Protection and Rescue Administration said on X.

Four people are currently reported missing in Konjic, around 50km southwest of the capital, and five in Donja Jablanica, some 60km southwest of the Bosnian capital.

Bosnian authorities deployed eight Slovenian rescuers near Buturovič Polje in the municipality of Konjic. Three are rescue dog guides, and the other five provide logistical and ICT support.

Slovenian rescue team head Aleš Cedilnik told the Slovenian Press Agency later that Slovenian team members had found a body of one of the victims in Buturović Polje.

Cedilnik described the situation as "very specific", adding the flood was caused by massive rainfall and had led to landslides, destructed roads and buildings, causing a lot of difficulty for rescue teams. The victims are not only buried under material, but also covered by silt.

The situation is very demanding but manageable, he said, adding that hope of finding the victims alive "still exists but the chances are diminishing by the hour".

Apart from Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia and Turkey have also sent rescue teams, equipment and humanitarian aid to Bosnia through the EU civil protection mechanism.

Bosnian authorities have so far confirmed 16 deaths, 15 in Donja Jablanica and one in Konjic.

The Slovenian rescuers are expected to stay in Bosnia for a week. If necessary, they will be replaced by a new team.

Slovenian charities are also raising funds to go toward flood relief and have already transferred emergency aid to the country.

The Slovenian Red Cross and Caritas have collected a total of over €100,000 in donations, but more are coming in.