Turkey bans swimming on Black Sea and Marmara coasts due to storm warnings
The Meteorology General Directorate issued storm warnings for July 5, 2026, forecasting strong north‑westerly winds of 40–70 km/h in the Marmara south and coastal Aegean, heavy rain and thunderstorms across much of the country, and the risk of flooding, lightning and strong gusts.
In response, governorates and district offices temporarily prohibited sea entry in ten provinces: Istanbul (districts Beykoz, Sarıyer, Arnavutköy), Kocaeli (Kandıra), Kırklareli (Demirköy), Tekirdağ (Saray), Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize and Artvin. The bans, covering beaches, coves and coastal strips on July 4‑5, cite high wave heights, rip‑currents and the danger of drowning.
Similar restrictions were announced for the Black‑Sea resort of Şile and other Black‑Sea towns, and Bulgarian media reported parallel bans in Turkish coastal resorts. Authorities urged citizens and tourists to heed the warnings and avoid the sea until conditions improve.