15.10.2026 10:33
The downpour that was effective in Istanbul flooded Phoenix Studios in Sarıyer Ayazağa. Singer Murat Boz, actress Demet Özdemir, and hundreds of employees who were stranded in the studio where the program was being filmed asked for help on social media. In the rescue operation, which also included police divers affiliated with the Istanbul Police Department, those stranded were taken to safe areas by boat. The moments of their rescue were captured on camera.
Murat Boz, Demet Özdemir, and many employees who were stranded in studios flooded due to excessive rainfall in the Ayazağa area of Sarıyer were evacuated during a rescue operation organized in the night hours.
“WE WERE STRANDED TOGETHER WITH HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYEES”
The downpour that was effective in Istanbul yesterday caused flooding in many parts of the city. Murat Boz, who was shooting a program at Phoenix Studios on Cendere Road in Maslak-Ayazağa, made a call for help from his social media account when the area was flooded in the evening hours. In his post, Boz said, “We are in the area where Phoenix Studios is located in Maslak-Ayazağa. Everywhere is under water, the studios are flooding, the power is out. We are also stranded here together with hundreds of employees. We are waiting for urgent support from the authorities.”
“WE CANNOT STOP THE WATER COMING IN”
As the water continued to rise, Boz made new posts. Boz, who asked for help from AFAD, the municipality, and the Istanbul Fire Department, noted that there were about 250 people in the building and said, “We cannot stop the water coming in. Please help for urgent evacuation.” In another post, he said, “We are now going up to the last place we can get to. Please evacuate urgently. There are women and young people here.”
DEMET ÖZDEMİR WAS ALSO IN THE SAME BUILDING
Actress Demet Özdemir, who was in the same building for a brand's advertising shoot, was also among those stranded. In a post on her social media account, Özdemir said, “We are stranded in the studio on Cendere Road. Phoenix Studios. We are waiting for help from all authorized units.” It was learned that Özdemir conveyed that they were waiting on the 2nd floor, the top floor of the building, and that the lower floor was about to be completely under water.
Singer Nazan Öncel, who was in the area, also asked for help, saying, “We are stranded. Hundreds of people are stranded.”
EVACUATION COULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT AT FIRST DUE TO THE CURRENT
Following the calls for help, AFAD, the National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE), Istanbul Fire Department, Coast Guard, SAK, and AKUT teams were dispatched to the area. The teams that reached the studio could not immediately begin evacuation due to the risk of current and drifting in the water. After an assessment, a decision was made for a controlled evacuation.
POLICE DIVERS EVACUATED BY BOAT
Diver police teams affiliated with the Istanbul Police Department Sea Port Branch Directorate also supported the rescue efforts. Murat Boz, Demet Özdemir, and employees taken out of the building by the police divers' boat were transported to safe areas. In addition to boats, trucks, minibuses, and construction machinery were also used in the efforts. About 200 people were moved to a safe area. Boz shared the evacuation moments on his social media account with the note “We are being evacuated.”
ONE PERSON LOST THEIR LIFE IN THE FLOOD IN AYAZAĞA
Ayazağa was one of the areas most affected by the downpour. According to data announced by the Governor's Office, 124.72 kilograms of rainfall per square meter fell in Sarıyer-İTÜ Maslak. On Dereboyu Street in Ayazağa Neighborhood, 34-year-old S.Y., who was trying to cross through the floodwaters, slipped and fell and hit his head on the curb. With S.Y., who could not be saved at Seyrantepe Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital where he was taken, the death toll in the Istanbul flood rose to 2.