Heavy snow strands thousands in Istanbul

A general view of parked planes at Istanbul airport, which is suspending flights due to heavy snowfall, in Istanbul, Turkey January 25, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

General view of vehicles stuck on a highway following a heavy snowfall in Istanbul, Turkey January 25, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

A general view of historical Galata Tower and Golden Horn is seen during heavy snowfall in Istanbul, Turkey January 25, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Birds gather to eat corn during heavy snowfall in Istanbul, Turkey January 25, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

A vendor cleans the street outside his shop during heavy snowfall in Istanbul, Turkey January 25, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Nuruosmaniye Mosque and Grand Bazaar, known as the Covered Bazaar, are seen during heavy snowfall in Istanbul, Turkey January 25, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii or Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and Sultanahmet square are seen during heavy snowfall in Istanbul, Turkey January 25, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

A woman walks through the cemetery of Suleymaniye Mosque during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Tourists walk along Sultanahmet Square as Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii or Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is seen in the background during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

A woman enjoys a snowy day at the garden of Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Tourists walk along Sultanahmet Square as Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii or Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is seen in the background during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

People walk along Sultanahmet Square as Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii or Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is seen in the background during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

A man feeds seagulls during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Tourists walk along Sultanahmet Square as Sultan Ahmet mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque, is seen in the background during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

People walk through the garden of Suleymaniye Mosque during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Tourists walk along Sultanahmet Square during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

People walk along a park on a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 23, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Tourists walk along Sultanahmet Square as Sultan Ahmet mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque, is seen in the background during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Tourists walk along Sultanahmet Square as Ayasofya-i Kebir Camii or Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is seen in the background during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Tourists walk along Sultanahmet Square as Sultan Ahmet mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque, is seen in the background during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Commuters feed seagulls as they sail through the Bosphorus on a ferry in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

People out at a snow covered park in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

A group of swimmers run to warm-up before they dive into the chilly waters of the Bosphorus on a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 23, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

Tourists enjoy a snowy day at the garden of Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

A group of swimmers run to warm-up before they dive into the chilly waters of the Bosphorus during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 23, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

People walk through Sultanahmet Square during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

People walk through the garden of Suleymaniye Mosque during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 24, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

People walk along a park on a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 23, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

A swimmer walks after diving into the chilly waters of the Bosphorus during a snowy day in Istanbul, Turkey, January 23, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

People walk with a dog in the snow at a park in Ankara, Turkey January 23, 2022. REUTERS/Cagla Gurdogan