Floods hit Turkey as Antalya hotel pianist plays Titanic theme

Relentless torrential rain in several parts of Turkey, particularly in Istanbul and Antalya, has caused severe flooding.

The Operative Information Center-OMM reports that, according to official information released by local authorities in Antalya, the area has not recorded rainfall of this intensity in more than 80 years. Footage shared by Turkish media showing a pianist performing the famous theme from the film “Titanic” inside a luxury hotel flooded in Antalya has drawn widespread attention on social media.

In Istanbul, rainfall that began on the evening of October 13 brought between 139 and 269 millimeters of precipitation to different parts of the city.

Authorities reported flooding at more than 1,300 homes and commercial premises, as well as landslides at 15 locations. More than 2,000 residents were evacuated from the disaster zone to safety.

The death toll from the record rainfall and resulting floods in Istanbul has reached four. Emergency and rescue services continue recovery and evacuation operations in the affected areas.

Antalya and Istanbul are among Turkey’s major urban centers, and heavy downpours can overwhelm drainage systems and trigger flash floods and landslides. Emergency services and local authorities coordinate evacuations and recovery efforts during such events.