Jordan flash floods: Eleven killed and thousands of tourists evacuated from ancient city of Petra

Death toll continues to rise two weeks after 18 children were killed after being swept away on school trip

Civil defense members look for missing persons after rain storms unleashed flash floods, in Madaba city, near Amman, Jordan, November 10, 2018 (Reuters)

At least 11 people have been killed by flash floods in Jordan which have also forced nearly 4000 tourists to flee the ancient city of Petra.

Visitors ran for higher ground on Friday as water surged through a narrow canyon leading to the Treasury, the historic site's main attraction.

The city, famed for its carved rock ruins, became submerged following heavy downpours on Friday afternoon.

Floodwaters in some areas rose up to 4m (13ft), state TV reported. Footage posted on Twitter showed people trying to stay clear of the water.

Government spokesperson Jumana Ghunaimat said the main road connecting the capital of Amman with the south of the country was also closed.

Authorities declared a state of emergency in the Red Sea port city of Aqaba. In the southern town of Maan a shelter was opened for dozens of people displaced after the torrential rains.

Meanwhile, rescue teams are searching for five people whose car was swept away in Madaba, south-west of the capital, Amman.

Officials confirmed that a child was among those killed by floods in the Dabaa region, south of Amman.

These flash floods came weeks after 18 children died after they were swept away by waters on a school outing in the Dead Sea region.

One of the country’s worst natural disasters in decades, led to the resignation of the country's education and tourism ministers.