11 Killed, 50 Injured In Highway Pile-Up In Northwestern Turkiye

A road accident in northwestern Turkey killed 11 people and injured more than 50 others.

A view of a chain accident at the Northern Marmara Motorway as the officers gather at the scene to carry out search and rescue operation in Sakarya, Turkiye on December 28, 2023.

Source : Getty Images

A road accident on Thursday (December 28) resulted in the deaths of 11 people and left over 50 others injured in northwestern Turkiye, as reported by the Reuters news agency, citing local media. The incident occurred on the North Marmara highway close to the Dagdibi neighbourhood in Sakarya province. Involved in the crash were seven vehicles, among them three buses and a truck, according to information from the state-run Anadolu news agency.

The circumstances leading to the accident remain under investigation, Anadolu noted. However, NTV, a private news channel, highlighted that the area was shrouded in dense fog, leading to reduced visibility at the time of the incident.

The Sakarya provincial governor confirmed that 57 injured individuals were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention, the Reuters report said. 

In a separate development, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK) of Turkiye has enforced a two-week broadcasting suspension on the widely-watched television series "Kizil Goncalar" (Crimson Buds), as per a Reuters report. This action comes in response to claims that the series contradicts "society's national and spiritual values."

Ilhan Tasci, an RTUK board member representing the main opposition, shared on the X social media platform that the regulatory body has further levied a 3% administrative penalty on Fox TV, a subsidiary of Walt Disney Co.'s Fox Networks Group.

"Kizil Goncalar," delving into the societal divide between the religious and secular sectors, drew criticism upon its debut on Dec. 18. Despite this, its initial episodes garnered significant viewership, amassing over 10 million views on YouTube.

The RTUK has a history of penalising programmes it deems to breach Turkiye's cultural and ethical standards. Such actions have often been met with criticism from opposition groups, citing concerns over freedom of expression.

Meanwhile, Labour Minister Vedat Isikhan announced that Turkiye's monthly minimum wage will stand at 17,002 Turkish lira ($578.31) in 2024. This represents a substantial 49% rise since July and a doubling from the figure recorded in January.

November witnessed Turkiye's annual inflation rate climb to 61.98%, marking its peak for the year. This surge comes after a significant currency downturn in 2021, with the lira's value diminishing by approximately 35% this year, exacerbating living costs for the populace.