Authorities said at least 23 people were injured in storm-related incidents in the city of Gaziantep, including three injured when the wind blew off the roof of an Olympic training center.
A powerful storm has hit southeastern Turkey, killing one person and injuring dozens, while unseasonal snow disrupted daily life in western regions. Ilke aber agencies posted.
The storm hit the city of Gaziantep yesterday afternoon, bringing intense rain, strong winds and flooding that paralyzed large parts of the city. Streets and underpasses were submerged, while strong winds tore roofs off buildings, uprooted trees and damaged vehicles.
Authorities said at least 23 people were injured in storm-related incidents in Gaziantep, including three injured when the roof of an Olympic training center was blown off by the wind.
Conditions worsened in neighboring Sanliurfa, where the storm caused widespread destruction. A cargo pickup truck overturned on a bridge due to strong winds, a minaret of a mosque collapsed, and a floating restaurant broke loose from where it was tied.
A 22-year-old girl lost her life after a solar panel, torn from a roof by the storm, hit the car she was riding in. At least 28 other people were reported injured across the province.
Powerful windstorm struck Gaziantep, Turkey 🇹🇷 (03.05.2026) pic.twitter.com/tNaxeFIsWx
— Disaster News (@Top_Disaster) May 3, 2026
Schools are closed, winter is back
In response to security concerns, schools were temporarily closed in several districts, including Birecik and Viransehir in Şanlıurfa, as well as Şahinbey, Şehitkamil and Nizip in Gaziantep.
Meanwhile, Western Turkey experienced a sharp and unexpected return to winter conditions. In Afyonkarahisar and surrounding areas, heavy snowfall led to the closure of key highways for heavy vehicles, including routes connecting Afyonkarahisar to Ushak, Sandikli and Ankara. Classes were suspended for a day in several counties, and transportation disruptions affected regional travel.
Meteorologists say the unusual combination of strong storms in the southeast and snowfall in the west reflects broader climate instability. Turkey’s state meteorological service has warned that wintry conditions are expected to continue for several more days in parts of the country, with further rain and snow forecast.
What causes an extreme storm?
Climate change is causing increasingly frequent extreme weather conditions in Turkey, resulting in severe economic and infrastructural damage.
Experts warn that unregulated construction worsens the consequences of floods and storms.
Although the cold wave is expected to subside, the authorities indicate that the intensity of such disasters will increase.
