31.05.2026 17:21
The return journey of thousands of citizens who spent the holiday on the Princes' Islands turned into an ordeal. While there was no room to step at the docks, the crowd wanting to board the ferry trampled each other. As the human tide was captured on cameras, an island resident, protesting the situation, reacted with the words, "I appeal to the authorities, find a solution to this. On holidays, it becomes hell for those who have homes here."
Taking advantage of the nine-day holiday, thousands of citizens flocked to Istanbul's beloved Princes' Islands, but their return journey turned into an ordeal. On the last day of the holiday, the massive crowd loading onto the piers caused a human tide. Footage showed citizens practically trampling each other to board ferries, with no room left to step on the pier.
HUMAN TIDE AT PIERS: STAMPEDE CAUGHT ON CAMERA
Day-trippers and summer residents wanting to enjoy the holiday on the Islands returned at the same time, paralyzing the piers of Büyükada, Heybeliada, and Kınalıada. As ferry times approached, a major scuffle and stampede broke out among the crowd eager to be the first to board. Citizens struggled even to walk in the queues stretching meters long in front of turnstiles, as the density at the pier reached dangerous levels.
"HOLIDAYS TURN INTO HELL FOR ISLAND RESIDENTS"
This uncontrolled density and the risk of crushing at turnstiles angered not only holidaymakers but also permanent residents of the Islands. A resident, stating that transportation and life had come to a standstill, harshly criticized authorities with these words:
"I call on the authorities. Find a solution to this. It's disrespectful to the people living on the Island. Holidays turn into hell for those who have homes on the Island. Please find a solution."
CALL FOR A PERMANENT SOLUTION
On the Islands, where similar chaos occurs every holiday and long weekend, the population exceeding several times the carrying capacity leads to the same infrastructure and transportation crises every year. Holidaymakers, who endured a difficult return journey with the risk of being crushed, and Island residents, whose lives turned into a nightmare, are demanding an urgent permanent measure against this uncontrolled crowd.