Istanbul Airport Roof Collapses Under Heavy Snow

A section of the roof at one of Istanbul's main international airports gave way early Tuesday morning under the weight of a sudden, heavy snowfall. The collapse occurred in the arrivals hall of the Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the city's Asian side. No serious injuries were reported, though the incident caused significant disruption and material damage.

Images from the scene showed a large panel of the ceiling hanging down, with debris scattered across the floor. Airport authorities acted quickly, closing the affected area and redirecting passenger traffic. Flights continued to operate, but travelers faced delays and were advised to check with their airlines for updates.

The roof failure highlights concerns about infrastructure resilience during extreme weather. Istanbul has been grappling with an intense winter storm that blanketed the city, paralyzing road traffic and leading to school closures. The snowfall, while creating picturesque scenes across the historic metropolis, has tested the limits of public services and transportation hubs.

Officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse. Engineers are assessing the structure while maintenance crews work to secure the area. The event serves as a stark reminder of the challenges major cities face as weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable and severe.