Istanbul Emergency Services Stretched Thin as Crime, Accidents Spike in Summer Week

Istanbul's emergency services faced an unusually demanding week, with fire brigades, police and ambulance crews managing a surge in incidents ranging from traffic accidents to theft and structural emergencies, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's Emergency and Disaster Management Directorate (AKOM) reported 342 responses between June 23-29, a 22 percent increase from the previous week's average of 280 calls. The spike coincided with the final week of June's record-breaking heat wave, which reached 37°C in central districts including Fatih and Beyoğlu.

Traffic accidents accounted for the largest category at 89 incidents, with 34 resulting in injuries. A particularly serious collision occurred on the E-5 highway near the Sabiha Gökçen toll plaza on Thursday morning, involving a tour bus and two commercial vehicles. Firefighters extracted two passengers trapped in wreckage; both were transported to nearby hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

Petty theft complaints surged in high-tourism zones. The Sultanahmet district, encompassing the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace area, recorded 28 reported incidents, while Taksim Square and surrounding Beyoğlu neighborhoods logged 19 cases. Police attributed many to distracted tourists navigating crowded streets and public transport. "Summer brings heightened foot traffic, and unfortunately, pickpocketing becomes more prevalent," an Istanbul Police Department spokesperson noted in a routine briefing.

Fire response teams handled 67 emergency calls, including three structural fires. A blaze in a four-story residential building in the Aksaray neighborhood on Friday evening forced evacuation of 26 residents. No deaths were recorded, though one elderly resident sustained smoke inhalation. Investigators determined the fire originated from faulty electrical wiring in a kitchen appliance.

Medical emergencies dominated ambulance deployments, with 156 calls across the city. Heat-related illness cases tripled during peak afternoon hours, straining resources at major hospitals including Cerrahpasa and the American Hospital in Nişantaşı.

Istanbul's 112 emergency hotline, managed by AKOM, processed calls averaging 48 per hour during peak periods—significantly above the usual 35 per hour rate. Response times averaged 7.2 minutes for fire services and 6.8 minutes for ambulances, slightly exceeding standard targets during the busiest hours.

Officials urged residents to exercise caution during the summer season, particularly regarding heat exposure, traffic vigilance, and protecting valuables in crowded areas. Enhanced patrols will continue through August across the Sultanahmet, Taksim, and Beyoğlu districts.

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