Turkey covered in white blanket after heavy snowfall, blizzards

Turkey is finally under a cold spell as warned by meteorological authorities, with heavy snowfall and blizzards moving across the country, causing travel disruptions, while also serving as an opportunity for children to enjoy their winter break making snowman.

Snowfall and freezing blizzards were more concentrated in Turkey's central and eastern regions last week, but temperatures also significantly dropped in the country's west and northwest starting on the weekend.

Istanbul experienced light snowfall on Jan. 22 as the sun appeared occasionally, but a strong blizzard that started late on Jan. 23 left the high parts of the Turkish metropolis with a layer of snow reaching a depth of 40 centimeters.

Snowplows belonging to local authorities worked on main roads and streets, with municipal teams increasing their efforts to salt the roads to prevent icing. However, it did not fully prevent traffic accidents.

Three people were killed in a bus accident in Istanbul's north, while another 18 were injured when a bus crashed into a ditch as the driver lost control of the vehicle. The wounded citizens were taken to nearby hospitals immediately.

Due to possible risks of slippery roads caused by snowfall, the Istanbul Governor's Office has suspended activities of motorcycle couriers who work for restaurant or market chains for delivery services until further notice.

Vessel passage Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait was also temporarily suspended as visibility dwindled to less than half a mile due to intensive fog.

Some major highways across the country, including two that connect Istanbul to the capital Ankara, were closed due to heavy snowfall and blizzards that took hold late on Jan. 23, with thousands of people stranded in their...

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