Russian authorities failed properly to warn residents in the Black Sea region of floods that killed at least 171 people and left others scrambling for safety, the emergencies minister has acknowledged.

Russia’s president moved quickly to address anger over the deaths of at least 171 people in severe flooding in the Black Sea region.

The death toll rose to at least 150 today from severe flooding in the Black Sea region of southern Russia that turned streets into rivers, swept away bridges and inundated thousands of homes as many residents were sleeping.