Two people were hurt when pieces of concrete plaster fell from the ceiling inside a classroom serving as a voting room at a secondary school in Istanbul. The injured were quickly ferried to a medical facility by ambulance, where staff began an immediate evaluation and treatment plan. Emergency teams were on site to monitor the condition of those affected and to preserve the ongoing function of the polling station. The focus at once shifted to safeguarding the health of the individuals involved while ensuring that the voting process could continue with minimal disruption in a crowded environment.
Authorities reported that the incident occurred around mid afternoon local time, during the period when ballots were being cast in the classroom that housed ballot box 3216. Two election observers sustained injuries as debris from the ceiling descended, prompting a rapid emergency response. Election workers and security personnel maintained composure, directed voters efficiently, and secured the affected area while investigators began assessing the root cause and scope of the event. The objective was to prevent any further risk to voters and to gather the necessary information to understand what happened and how it might be prevented in the future.
After the injured were stabilized and transported for care, voting resumed in the same classroom. The decision to carry on with the process emphasized a determination to maintain electoral momentum and to minimize interruptions for those already present. Officials on site moved quickly to implement safety measures, inspect the building’s infrastructure for vulnerabilities, and monitor for additional hazards that could affect the conduct of the vote or the safety of participants.
Ahmet Yener, who previously led the nation’s top electoral authority, issued a formal update indicating that the day’s voting activities had concluded in that area and that no further operational issues were reported at that time. The statement was intended to reassure the public and stakeholders that the election activities were proceeding with order and that the incident had not derailed the overall process in the region. The accountability measures and ongoing reviews were part of a broader effort to maintain transparency and public trust within the electoral operation.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later shared a message on social media confirming that presidential elections were taking place nationally. The post reflected the broader national coverage of the voting process and the expectations of citizens to observe and participate, even in the face of isolated incidents like the one in Istanbul. The incident underscored the importance of safety protocols within polling locations and highlighted the resilience of voters and officials as they continued to engage in the democratic process.