What changed
2026-08-10 08:12 UTC → 2026-08-10 22:08 UTC ·
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In early August 2026, heavy waves and severe weather conditions led to safety restrictions and multiple incidents along Turkey's coastlines. Initially, district authorities in Istanbul—specifically Beykoz, Arnavutköy, and Şile—imposed temporary two-day bans on swimming due to unsafe wave heights forecasted for the Black Sea coast. As severe weather conditions persisted, authorities implemented wider swimming bans to manage dangerous conditions, resulting in numerous near-drowning incidents requiring lifeguard interventions in Bartın, Zonguldak, and Sakarya. One fatality was reported in Kocaeli, where a 19-year-old man died following a rescue attempt at the Kumcağız coast. By heavy waves persisted through August 9, 2026, the death toll and number of emergency rescues increased fatalities across several provinces. In Samsun's Atakum district, a 42-year-old man and his 17-year-old nephew died after being caught in strong currents. In Hatay's Samandağ district, a 14-year-old was swept away at Çevlik Beach despite existing bans. Another 19-year-old, Arif Tosun, died at Kumcağız Beach in Kocaeli's Kandıra district. Recent reports confirm further casualties as high winds and heavy waves persist. Turkey continued to rise. In Zonguldak, 34-year-old Hakan Ergin Ergin, a former football player and referee, died after being swept away at Uzunkum Beach despite prohibitions, while a 16-year-old boy went missing in Filyos, prompting search operations. existing prohibitions. In Kocaeli's Kandıra Samsun’s Atakum district, additional fatalities and a missing person were reported at Kumcağız and Sarısu beaches, including a 19-year-old who 42-year-old man, Hasan Voyvat, died while attempting to save rescue his sister. 17-year-old nephew, Emir Ulaş Usta, both of whom succumbed to the water. In Hatay, Hatay’s Samandağ district, 13-year-old Mehmet Ali Himyen drowned at Çevlik Beach. Coast Guard Beach due to heavy waves. Additional deaths were reported in Kocaeli at Kumcağız and AFAD teams continue active rescue operations, including Sarısu beaches, and in Şanlıurfa, where a 6-year-old child and a 33-year-old man died in the rescue of ten people Euphrates River. Parallel to the weather-related safety issues, a separate swimming ban was implemented at İnkumu beach the Ambarlı coast in Bartın. Istanbul’s Avcılar district due to water pollution. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change determined that the İSKİ Ambarlı wastewater treatment plant had been discharging untreated urban wastewater into the sea. Consequently, an administrative fine of 3,343,688 TL was issued against İSKİ.