Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

Heavy rain battered Istanbul on Thursday in a freak storm that flooded roads, felled trees and brought air traffic and rush hour transport to a standstill in Turkey's biggest city.

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

Footage from broadcaster Haberturk showed a city bus half submerged near a bridge in the city's Unkapani district. Some of the passengers left the bus and waded through the flooded road while others climbed on top of the bus's roof.

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

The storm also knocked down over 800-year-old sycamore tree in Çengelköy district

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

Additionally, a fire erupted after a lightning stroke a depot in the Kağıthane district.

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

One person was injured after a large crane toppled at Haydarpasa port, near the southern entrance to the Bosphorus, causing an explosion and a fire that was later brought under control.

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

Two people were injured when the wall of an old cemetery collapsed near a busy street in Şişli district.

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

Hailstones the size of golf balls battered the streets, smashing windows of cars and residential buildings.

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul

Summer storm floods roads, fells trees in Istanbul