"Death Flight" of mayflies in Sakarya River creates unique spectacle and traffic hazards

Sakarya River has witnessed the emergence of adult mayflies, leading to the phenomenon known as the 'death flight' of these insects. Mayflies, which spend about 99% of their lives in larval form underwater, have completed their maturation process of 1 to 3 years in the Sakarya River. Thousands of mayflies gathered around the streetlights on the Sakarya Bridge in the Adapazarı district. They mated and then died collectively, creating a unique spectacle. The insects covering the road turned it white, causing slippery conditions for drivers. Some drivers experienced difficult moments due to the slippery surface, and occasional traffic accidents occurred in the area. Municipal teams cleaned the area to address this situation. The natural event has also captured the interest of photography enthusiasts. Kazım Arslan, a pharmaceutical representative, immortalized the mayflies' dance in the light with his camera. He mentioned that he came to the bridge to witness this natural phenomenon, saying, 'It's wonderful. I'm witnessing it live for the first time. I had seen it in the news before. They said it happens in July; maybe it's a bit late this time. Thankfully, it's late, and we took photos. I hope the photos turn out well. Hopefully, it will be a nice memory for the future. We stopped time.' The emergence and mass death of mayflies is a relatively common natural event and often draws attention due to its visual impact and unique behavior.