Istanbul experiences heaviest snowfall since 2009

Istanbul experienced the heaviest snowfall since 2009 during the weekend with the snow depth reaching 120 centimeters in some areas, Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş said on Sunday.

Around 7,000 municipality personnel had worked through the night to keep roads in the city open with 1,340 vehicles as snow fell the city for the third straight day.

Topbaş said that around 90 tonnes of salt and 370 tonnes of ice-melting solution were used to keep Istanbul roads free of snow and ice.

Meanwhile, Over 800 domestic and international flights have been cancelled at Istanbul's Atatürk and Sabiha Gökçen airports as Turkish Airlines transferred thousands of passengers stranded at the airports to nearby hotels.

More snow is forecast for the week ahead.