Story By Marija Stojkoska
News Editor Ajda Ender
This is the moment a 32-year-old crew member is thrown to his death when a tourist boat slams into a bridge support, sending him plunging into the water.
Yasin Konya, 32, falls off of boat as it hits the bridge in Istanbul, Turkey.***Video Licence Restrictions: NEWS MEDIA PORTALS ONLY. Usage on social media is possible but we offer no guarantees. This video is offered under our ‘social and local media source’ licence. For details see https://newsx.agency/licences/ For terms visit: https://newsx.media/terms-conditions/
The crash happened at the Ataturk Bridge, also known locally as Unkapanı Bridge, in Istanbul’s Fatih district, Turkey, at around 10.30am on Sunday, 19th July, as the vessel was passing through the Golden Horn.
Yasin Konya, 32, falls off of boat as it hits the bridge in Istanbul, Turkey. He drowned. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)
Yasin Konya, originally from the Surmene district of Trabzon, was working as a crew member on the tourist boat Hero when it struck a bridge pillar while travelling towards Eminonu.
Picture shows Yasin Konya, 32. He fell off his boat as it hit a bridge and drowned in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Security camera footage shows Konya speaking on his phone moments before the collision, with the force of the crash causing the bow to jolt and making him instantly lose his footing before falling over the short front section of the boat.
Yasin Konya, 32, falls off of boat as it hits the bridge in Istanbul, Turkey. He drowned. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)
The footage shows the boat failing to make its turn beneath the bridge before its port side hits the support, causing a sudden impact that throws Konya from the front of the vessel into the water.
Yasin Konya, 32, falls off of boat as it hits the bridge in Istanbul, Turkey. He drowned. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)
A search operation was launched by the Istanbul Marine Port Branch Directorate, the Turkish Coast Guard Command and the Directorate General of Coastal Safety after Konya fell into the sea.
Yasin Konya, 32, falls off of boat as it hits the bridge in Istanbul, Turkey. He drowned. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)
Divers found Konya’s body after an eight-hour search, and his remains were taken to the forensic medicine centre.
The boat’s captain, Mehmet P., was initially detained following the crash and underwent a medical check.
Police detain boat captain Mehmet P.. Yasin Konya, 32, fell off his boat as it hit a bridge and drowned in Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)
He was subsequently transferred to the Istanbul Courthouse for interrogation by prosecutors, where the on-duty Criminal Court of Peace officially ordered his formal arrest and placement into prison custody pending trial.
Local labour rights groups and some Turkish media outlets described the incident as an occupational homicide, citing claims that crew members working at the bow were not provided with safety railings or harnesses.
(Marija Stojkoska/Newsflash)
