Snow pummels Istanbul

People walk near a tram under a heavy snow near Gezi Park on Taksim Square during a snowy day in Istanbul. Picture: Sedat Suna

People walk near a tram under a heavy snow near Gezi Park on Taksim Square during a snowy day in Istanbul. Picture: Sedat Suna

Published Feb 18, 2015

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Istanbul -

Istanbul's Ataturk airport, the main international travel hub, was closed temporarily for landings and takeoffs on Wednesday as snow pummelled Turkey's largest city for a second day.

Parts of the public transit system, including ferries, were forced to shut.

Major roads slowed to a crawl causing traffic chaos and there were reports of accidents as a result of the weather.

The Dogan news agency reported that a man was killed after a playful snowball fight went awry.

A snowball thrown by a group of friends hit a shop window and the enraged owner of the store then stabbed the man, who was employed as a journalist.

Some of the city's ancient building and monuments, including the Galata Tower and many mosques, were covered in white.

Sapa-dpa

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