08.01.2026 20:04
The Istanbul Governorship announced the toll of the severe storm affecting the city. A total of 97 flights were canceled at two airports due to the storm, 45 trees were uprooted, and 89 roofs were blown off. Maritime transportation was also adversely affected; the Bosphorus was temporarily closed to two-way ship traffic.
The storm that started in the morning hours in Istanbul and reached a speed of 90 kilometers per hour by noon was announced by the Governorship.
As a result of the storm that started in the morning hours in Istanbul and reached a speed of 90 kilometers per hour by noon, 45 trees were uprooted and 89 roofs were blown off.
A total of 97 domestic and international flights were canceled at Istanbul and Sabiha Gökçen airports. The storm also affected maritime transportation, temporarily closing the Bosphorus to traffic, and ferry services were canceled. A total of 45 boats were damaged along the coasts of Tuzla, Kartal, and Pendik.
"25-30 BOATS WERE SHATTERED RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR EYES"
Describing the events in Tuzla during the noon hours, Sercan Keleş said, "There was a very strong south wind since the morning. We have been here since seven. It wasn't very strong at first. The wind strengthened later. About 25-30 boats were shattered right in front of our eyes. There were large boats, there were small boats. Everyone we know here came to help. All of our boats were destroyed. Of course, this is a natural disaster. There is nothing we can do.
It was a very different wind; I have been here since my childhood. I saw such a storm for the first time. Such a storm happened here for the first time. And it is really a very bad thing. We couldn't intervene at all while the boats in front of us were breaking. We couldn't get on the boats. We did our best. We managed to save some boats. There were also those we couldn't save. There were losses. But we fought here together with everyone. The important thing is that no one was harmed. Hopefully, better boats will be acquired. Better ones will come in their place. At least 100 boats are currently wrecks under the sea," he said.
CARGO SHIP DRAGGED AWAY
The general cargo ship named Beypazarı, which was dragged due to a mechanical failure at the Kartal Iron Field, was towed and safely anchored by the Salvage-9 Tugboat under the coordination of our Istanbul Vessel Traffic Services Center.
THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ANNOUNCED THE BALANCE SHEET
The balance sheet of the storm was announced by the Istanbul Governorship. In the statement, it was reported that 45 trees were uprooted and 89 roofs were blown off in the city, and a total of 97 domestic and international flights were canceled at two airports. The statement from the Istanbul Governorship is as follows:
"According to the data from the General Directorate of Meteorology, it was predicted that a severe wind-storm would be effective in Istanbul starting from the morning hours of Thursday, January 8, 2026, and necessary warnings were made by our Governorship. The expected severe wind-storm began to be effective in our region as of 05:00 in the morning, and it is expected that the storm will continue its effect until 22:00 today.
"ONE OF OUR CITIZENS HAS BEEN SLIGHTLY INJURED"
We kindly request our fellow citizens in Istanbul to be cautious against possible roof blow-offs, carbon monoxide – natural gas poisoning, and flooding. From the morning hours when the severe wind and storm began to be effective until 18:00, there were a total of 350 reports, including 45 uprooted trees, 89 blown-off roofs, 214 reports of dangerous pieces, 1 collapsed abandoned building, and 1 collapsed retaining wall. AFAD, firefighters, and 112 emergency medical teams intervened in the reports received, and one of our citizens was slightly injured in the incidents caused by the storm.
"THE ISTANBUL BOSPHORUS WAS CLOSED TO TWO-WAY VESSEL TRAFFIC"
On the other hand, due to the storm; the Istanbul Bosphorus was closed to two-way vessel traffic by the General Directorate of Coastal Safety, and as of 17:00, it was reopened to vessel traffic. All services of Istanbul Sea Buses (IDO) and Bursa Sea Buses (BUDO) as well as all services operated by City Lines were canceled.
SOME FLIGHT SERVICES WERE CANCELED
A total of 64 flights were canceled at Istanbul Airport, including 32 domestic and 32 international flights; at Sabiha Gökçen Airport, a total of 33 flights were canceled, including 31 domestic and 2 international flights. Due to the storm, a total of 45 boats were damaged, including 37 in Tuzla, 7 in Pendik, and 1 in Kartal."