At least 33 people were injured when a tram smashed into a bus that had missed a red light in Istanbul, Turkish media reported on Monday.
Footage on local television showed the site of the accident after the tram rammed into the side of the bus.
Emergency service personnel were seen attending to the injured in the Alibeykoy district.
Firefighter rescued at least one person who had been trapped in the wreckage of the bus, Anadolu state news agency reported.
At least four people were reportedly seriously injured.
Metro Istanbul said it had temporarily suspended the bus-tram line between the T5 Cibali-Alibeykoy and Cibali-University stations.
The moment of the crash was captured by CCTV camera and broadcast by the TRT Haber television station.
The accident took place at 9.15am, when an IETT bus carrying a number of passengers reportedly missed a red light while crossing the tramway and the tram ploughed into its right-hand side.
Firefighters were forced to douse the crash site and surrounding area with water due to the bus leaking fuel heavily, officials said.
“Unfortunately, 33 of our citizens were injured in the traffic accident that occurred at Alibeykoy Tram Stop this morning,” Istanbul governor Ali Yerlikaya tweeted. "I wish a speedy recovery to our citizens whose treatment continues. Get well soon."
Security camera footage showed the tram hitting the bus, pushing it into a security booth and other stationary vehicles in the adjoining car park. The tram left the rails due to the force of the impact.
Car park officer, Selahattin Sahin’in, told reporters at the scene he saw the bus break in half.
"We barely got out of our booth, God protected us," Mr Sahin’in was quoted as saying by Anadolu.
Witnesses said they initially believed an earthquake had struck given the force of the crash and the accompanying noise.
"When we arrived, the tram had completely shattered the bus,” one witness said. "There were injured people. We immediately called the ambulance and fire department. There were passengers in both vehicles. The tram driver was also injured."
People working nearby said one of the traffic lights at that intersection had been malfunctioning for several days.
“It was obvious that this would be the case today” Beulent Kahveci, a businessman who works in the area, told Anadolu. "There has been a problem with these lights for about 10 days, they are constantly coming for repairs. In the place where Istanbul's heaviest traffic is, the tram is operated with a lighted system."
The city has been on alert since a deadly street bombing last month left six people dead, including two children, and wounded more than 80.
The attack came as a reminder of the bombings that hit Turkish cities between 2015 and 2017, shattering the public’s sense of security.
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Man of the match Kari Arnason (Iceland)
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
