Horrific accident on Istanbul highway: passenger bus overturned, casualties and injured reported

The morning of August 18 in Istanbul began with tragedy. On the Northern Marmara Highway (Kuzey Marmara Otoyolu), near the Sancaktepe district close to the Yenidogan toll gates, a passenger bus overturned. According to official reports, three people were killed and another 20 were injured in the accident.

The incident occurred around 06:15–06:30 in the morning. The bus was traveling from Tokat to Tekirdağ. Preliminary information suggests that the driver lost control on a curve, the vehicle hit the road barrier, and overturned.

At the time of the crash, there were 35 passengers on board. After the collision, many were trapped inside. Dozens of ambulances, fire brigades, and gendarmerie units were dispatched to the scene. Rescuers had to cut open the bus body to extract the injured.

All the wounded were taken to nearby hospitals. Doctors report that the condition of some passengers remains critical.

The Istanbul Governor’s Office (İstanbul Valiliği) issued an official statement confirming the number of dead and injured. Authorities stressed that an investigation has already begun, with experts examining the causes of the accident and checking the technical condition of the vehicle.

Traffic on the highway in the direction of Edirne was temporarily restricted, causing congestion on the approaches to the motorway. Road services and police continue to work at the site.