2 minutes ago! Turkey is in mourning! People are left without homes! The world is praying!

In a rare occurrence for this time of year, Istanbul was hit by a sudden hailstorm on Friday afternoon. The storm, which lasted for approximately 20 minutes, caused significant damage to cars, buildings, and other infrastructure. Eyewitnesses reported that hailstones, some the size of golf balls, pelted the city, causing chaos on the streets. Social media was flooded with images and videos of cars with shattered windscreens and dented bodywork, as well as flooded streets. The unexpected hailstorm also led to flight cancellations and delays at Istanbul’s airports. Passengers were left stranded as airlines worked to reschedule their flights. This is not the first time Istanbul has been hit by severe weather. In recent years, the city has experienced heavy rain, flooding, and even snow during the winter months. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality released a statement following the hailstorm, advising residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel until the storm had passed.