Jordan evacuates tourists from Petra as flash floods hit ancient site

5/5/2025 5:52

Jordan evacuated hundreds of tourists from the ancient city of Petra on Sunday after flash floods swept through the archaeological site amid severe weather, officials said.

No injuries were reported, and tourists were assisted by rescue teams, Yazan Mahadin, commissioner for the Petra Archaeological Park and Tourism, told the state-run Petra news agency.

Ticket sales to the UNESCO World Heritage site were suspended as a precaution. A total of 1,785 tourists had visited Petra earlier in the day, Mahadin said.

Footage broadcast by state-owned Jordan TV showed torrents of water flooding valleys and low-lying areas across parts of the country. Authorities attributed the conditions to a bout of unstable weather that triggered heavy rainfall, falling temperatures, and strong winds.

The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority urged the public to exercise caution, avoid flood-prone areas, secure loose objects, and follow safety instructions issued by relevant agencies during the adverse weather.