Istanbul, a city crushed under the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic

Turkey's largest city, Istanbul has been crushed by the COVID-19 pandemic as the number of cases remains at alarming levels. Reuters' photographs of funerals of COVID-19 patients in Istanbul's Kilyos Cemetery shine a haunting light on the tragedy.

Istanbul, ranked the busiest airport in Europe during the last week of November, is thought to have become the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey.

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While Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu raises alarm at every opportunity, the exact number of deaths per settlement is not released by the Health Ministry, leaving the severity of the situation in Istanbul in the dark.

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Although the mayor's revelations last month forced the ministry's hand to uncover real numbers nationwide, Ankara's precautions against the pandemic are still considered insufficient.

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While the government imposed weekend lockdowns and partial curfews nationwide, professional organizations continue to press for a complete two-week lockdown.

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