15.10.2026 11:43
The heavy downpour that hit Istanbul flooded homes and businesses in Kemerburgaz, while many vehicles were swept away by the floodwaters. 65 people who were trapped throughout the night were rescued by fire brigade teams. Ali Eryolcu, whose minibus was swept away in the floodwaters, escaped death. Eryolcu, who jumped out of the vehicle and clung to trees, described the terrifying moments he experienced, saying, "The water came up to my neck. I stayed in the water for 20 minutes. An excavator came and rescued me."
In Istanbul, the heavy downpour that began during the daytime yesterday and continued to affect the city throughout the night caused floods in Kemerburgaz, which is part of Eyüpsultan.
Many homes and businesses in the area were flooded, roads turned into lakes, and some vehicles were swept away by the floodwaters. Transportation was disrupted due to the rainfall, and citizens experienced difficult moments.
After the downpour that continued throughout the night, with the first light of day, the extent of the damage caused by the flood was revealed.
65 PEOPLE RESCUED THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT
Many citizens were stranded in Kemerburgaz due to the heavy rainfall. Fire brigade teams dispatched to the area following calls carried out rescue operations throughout the night. According to information obtained from the fire brigade, 65 people who were stranded due to the downpour were rescued by the teams. Work initiated in the area after the floods is continuing.
"THE WATER CAME UP TO MY NECK, I HELD ONTO THE TREES"
One of those who escaped death in the flood disaster was minibus driver Ali Eryolcu. Eryolcu, whose minibus became stuck on the road during the heavy rainfall, said that his vehicle was caught by the floodwaters and swept away.
Stating that there were no passengers in the minibus at that moment, Eryolcu described his moments of terror with these words: "My minibus became stuck on the road, there were no passengers. The water swept the car and brought it all the way here. I opened the door and threw myself down, I held onto the trees. I shouted. The water came up to my neck."
"I REMAINED IN THE WATER FOR 20 MINUTES"
Explaining that he held onto trees and waited for help to escape from the floodwaters, Eryolcu stated that he remained in the water for about 20 minutes.
Eryolcu described the danger he experienced, saying, "I remained in the water for 20 minutes; an excavator came and pulled me out, and that is how I survived."
After the heavy rainfall, teams are continuing their work in areas affected by floods in Kemerburgaz.