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CARNAGE IN TURKEY

Istanbul hit by freak storm as GOLF BALL-sized hailstones cause devastation amid flash floods and powerful winds

The collapse, which injured at least two people, occurred when a violent 20-minute storm ripped through the Turkish city

A FREAK thunderstorm that battered Istanbul yesterday collapsed a cemetery stone wall sparking a desperate hunt for survivors feared trapped beneath the rubble.

The collapse, which injured at least two people, occurred when a violent 20-minute storm ripped through the Turkish city bringing it to a halt.

Locals desperately start digging at the cemetery amid fears survivors could be trapped under the rubble of a collapsed wall
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Locals desperately start digging at the cemetery amid fears survivors could be trapped under the rubble of a collapsed wallCredit: Rex Features
The cemetery wall collapsed yesterday after Istanbul was battered by a thunderstorm
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The cemetery wall collapsed yesterday after Istanbul was battered by a thunderstormCredit: Rex Features
Two people were injured when the cemetery wall collapsed
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Two people were injured when the cemetery wall collapsedCredit: Rex Features
A local cop directs the rescue efforts at the scene of the collapse yesterday
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A local cop directs the rescue efforts at the scene of the collapse yesterdayCredit: AFP or licensors
The collapse injured two people, though no reports have yet emerged of others injured
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The collapse injured two people, though no reports have yet emerged of others injuredCredit: Reuters
Locals wade through the massive downpours which belted the city for an intense 20 minutes
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Locals wade through the massive downpours which belted the city for an intense 20 minutesCredit: AFP or licensors
Man fled for higher ground after flash floods turned streets into rivers
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Man fled for higher ground after flash floods turned streets into riversCredit: AFP or licensors
A car damaged by the massive hailstones is pictured on the side of the road
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A car damaged by the massive hailstones is pictured on the side of the roadCredit: Getty - Contributor
A shopkeeper looks out of the front of his store at the devastation in the street
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A shopkeeper looks out of the front of his store at the devastation in the streetCredit: AFP or licensors
A bus is pictured submerged by the violent flash floods
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A bus is pictured submerged by the violent flash floodsCredit: Getty - Contributor

NTV television said part of a stone wall surrounding a cemetery for the city's Christian Armenian community was demolished in the storm, injuring two people.

Footage showed rescue crews and residents helping each other to remove the stones, looking for people who may have been trapped beneath the rubble.

Across the capital, at least 10 people were injured - two seriously - after the flash flooding tore down walls and lightning sparked fires.

Incredibly, the flash storm lasted about 20 minutes, but was so powerful it brought the city to a standstill.

Sixteen planes which had been heading to the city's Ataturk airport were routed to other destinations, the pro-government Anadolu news agency reported.

City hall said more than 7,000 people had been mobilised to deal with the aftermath of the storm.

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Around 230 trees were uprooted, nearly 90 roofs collapsed and a number of fires broke out but were quickly extinguished, it said in a statement.

Hailstones the size of golf balls also battered a Turkish Airlines passenger jet.

Terrifying photos show the nose of the jet was worn away and the windscreen cracked into pieces by the massive hailstones.

The jet was forced to make an emergency landing in Canakkale, located 170 miles from Istanbul, when it flew into the eye of the storm.

This Turkish Airlines jet also took a battering from the massive hailstones
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This Turkish Airlines jet also took a battering from the massive hailstonesCredit: Rex Features
The windscreen was cracked by the hailstones which were as large as golf balls
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The windscreen was cracked by the hailstones which were as large as golf ballsCredit: Rex Features
The storm forced it to ground at an airport just 170 miles north of Istanbul
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The storm forced it to ground at an airport just 170 miles north of IstanbulCredit: Rex Features

The high winds also toppled a large crane that landed on oil barrels, causing an explosion and fire at a port, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

At least one person was injured in the fire, which was later brought under control. A small depot also caught fire after being hit by lightning.

Heavy rainfall disrupted the evening rush hour traffic, stranding vehicles in flooded streets. Delays were reported at Istanbul's main airport and some planes were diverted to other airports.

A local wanders through the city streets as the flooding intensifies
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A local wanders through the city streets as the flooding intensifiesCredit: EPA
Crowds gather on an overhead bridge to survey the devastation below
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Crowds gather on an overhead bridge to survey the devastation belowCredit: Getty - Contributor
A taxi rolls through the streets as downpours broke out again in the evening
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A taxi rolls through the streets as downpours broke out again in the eveningCredit: Getty - Contributor
The thunderstorms only lasted 20 minutes but caused widespread devastation
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The thunderstorms only lasted 20 minutes but caused widespread devastationCredit: Getty - Contributor

NTV television showed people leaving a bus that was stranded in a flooded underpass and walking to safety in waist-high waters. Hail the size of golf balls also damaged some windows and car windshields.

Turkish authorities temporarily closed down the Eurasia Tunnel, which connects Istanbul's Asian and European sides under the Bosporus strait, as a precaution.

It was the second time in 10 days that heavy rain had inundated the streets of Istanbul and caused havoc in the sprawling metropolis.

Lightning sparked fires across the city - though they were swiftly dealt with by authorities
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Lightning sparked fires across the city - though they were swiftly dealt with by authoritiesCredit: Reuters
The thunderstorm brought the entire city to standstill
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 The thunderstorm brought the entire city to standstillCredit: Getty - Contributor

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