Turkey's Erdogan talks man on bridge out of suicide

E-Paper | April 26, 2026

ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used his celebrated rhetorical skills to save a life on Friday, preventing a man from jumping off Istanbul's Bosphorus Bridge.

The man was apparently preparing to jump to his death when Erdogan's motorcade was passing over the bridge linking Europe with Asia after Friday prayers.

News footage showed Erdogan's bodyguards bringing the sobbing man, who appeared to be in his early 30s, to talk to him through the window of his car. After a few moments, the man can be seen kissing Erdogan's hand

The man was then escorted to safety, the Dogan news agency reported.

It said police had been trying for almost two hours to talk the man out of committing suicide after he abandoned his car on the bridge and climbed over the side railing.

He has long been suffering from depression due to family problems, Dogan said.

The iconic bridge spanning the Bosphorus at a height of 64 metres (211 feet) is a frequent suicide spot.

Also Read: Turkish PM slams Israel for 'Hitler-like fascism'

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Laeeq,NY

Dec 25, 2015 09:45pm

Our leaders visit them after they commit the suicide.

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Owais Bayunus

Dec 25, 2015 09:52pm

Erdogan is a peoples guy. I envy Turks to have such a wonderful PM.

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Ahmed

Dec 25, 2015 10:07pm

One who saves ones life as if he has saved one society. In Pakistan, Bismah died just because Bilawal is inaugurating the hospital. Shame on our political leaders who force the oppressed to change his stance.

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Alien

Dec 25, 2015 10:21pm

Saving life and changing someone mind towards the life is only skilled people can do it. Good job sir.

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Ahmed USA

Dec 25, 2015 10:27pm

Sign of a true leader... Amazing!!!

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Sonny Afridi

Dec 25, 2015 10:30pm

Suicide is the cowards way out.

Recommend 0

Dec 25, 2015 10:38pm

all this is a publicity stunt to improve his image.. he is bombing his own ppl (kurds in turkey) in Diyarbakar (south-east Turkey

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Ahsan

Dec 25, 2015 11:08pm

Sadly reminds me of poor girl Bisma

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NASR

Dec 25, 2015 11:24pm

What a leader! One and only in the Muslim world.

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Rome cruiser

Dec 25, 2015 11:25pm

Big respect to Turkish PM

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divergence

Dec 25, 2015 11:36pm

That is something which Muslims' caliphs used to do, as they had a strong sense of responsibility towards those whom they ruled. Most of today's Muslim leaders (not all) put their luxurious lifestyles before people's comforts and use money to seek their own interests.

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Changez_Khan

Dec 25, 2015 11:39pm

Let this be a lesson to PPP who only care for their own life and protocols and not give a damn about others.

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Cyrus

Dec 25, 2015 11:50pm

Good show. Erdogan moves from president to celebrity.

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S Z Iqbal

Dec 26, 2015 12:01am

@dp NO! He is not! He is a man of peace. Erdogan has done everything he reasonably could to bring Kurds together with Turks as two Muslim peoples living together in one state, as they have lived for centuries. But there are too many external forces hellbent upon sowing strife among Muslims to make sure there is no peace in the Middle East. Erdogan is a great leader of vision and foresight, who cares about the Muslim nation, from Morocco to Indonesia. Like Mahathir of Malaysia previously, now he is the only great Muslim leader in the world. All the rest of them are stooges of whatever powers they kowtow to.

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Haider

Dec 26, 2015 12:09am

I wish we have a leader like him.

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Arif

Dec 26, 2015 12:46am

Erdogan Zindabad!

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Rick_james

Dec 26, 2015 12:51am

This is what you call a true leader of the people. Well done Mr Erdogan.

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PHILOSOPHER (from Japan)

Dec 26, 2015 01:04am

...and Bisma took her last breaths due to our so-called leaders.

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Ali Z

Dec 26, 2015 01:06am

Reading the comments it seems that presently Erdogan enjoys more support in Pakistan than Turkey

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imran

Dec 26, 2015 01:45am

The last line is interesting,'The iconic bridge spanning the Bosphorus at a height of 64 metres (211 feet) is a frequent suicide spot'. It seems like the president should cross that bridge every day to prevent such incidents.

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Sajelid

Dec 26, 2015 02:36am

Sounds like his body guards saved him

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Ashraf Choudhry

Dec 26, 2015 03:08am

Real leadership.Ours would have pushed him.

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Adam

Dec 26, 2015 03:41am

Really prople can you not see he is too busy talking on his iphone? Just look at his hand and his body language really a sign of a great leader? He is no different than our politicians plus he is a great liar on top of that. I feel sorry for Turkish people.

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Khurshid Ahmad Shah

Dec 26, 2015 04:28am

@dp i think u need to get the fact right. i am here in turkey and he is trying every possible step to safeguard the life and property of Kurds expect the pkk who are extremists and attack Turkish soldiers. He is a real statesman , just come and see his really how people welcome him and what support his visionary leadership.

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Ashraf

Dec 26, 2015 05:26am

Erdogan should now talk Turkey out of suicide. They way they have been going on over the last 2 years is nothing short of that. Shooting down the Russian plane was the final straw.

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Zulfiqar

Dec 26, 2015 05:57am

Poor publicity stunt.

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saz

Dec 26, 2015 06:48am

Even if this story is true he is not a leader; the enclosed picture demonstrates his arrogance. He is busy over phone and His body language is pretty rude rather giving any homage to that person who was planning to do suicide. What else his people will do other than attempting suicides when he is busy in stealing wealth and peace of other nations and least concerned about his own country men.

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Dec 26, 2015 08:38am

@dp - Would it have made you happy if he had asked his driver to run the man over instead? How do you know this was a publicity stunt? How on earth can you relate the dealings with kurds and this event?

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peace

Dec 26, 2015 08:49am

Publicity stunt

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Abu Mohammed

Dec 26, 2015 08:52am

Wish Erdagon could have a bigger vision to protect Turkey and Islamic world from commiting suicide by supporting and purchasing oil flow of ISIS.

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Ahmed Haneef

Dec 26, 2015 09:36am

@Adam ... It is really unethical that someone is saying thanks and he is busy on phone. Body language is totally rude

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Ahmed Haneef

Dec 26, 2015 09:41am

@Ali Z ...This is our Problem, there was a time when we used to praise Qadafi (Qadafi Stadium)after that Saddam and now Erdagon, we like outsiders. We start praising on superficial issues.

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Ali

Dec 26, 2015 10:19am

Surprising to see the comments here. Mr. Erdogan has been trying for the last 12-13 years to remain in power with one way or the other. First the PM now the President with his own party being in the ruling (doesn't this sounds similar to our very own Ex-President). He, his family are alleged for the worst ever corruption charges in Turkey's history. and ofcourse how can we ignore the role he is playing in Syria. Speak to Turks and they will give the reality check.

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Optimistic Pakistani

Dec 26, 2015 10:20am

@Laeeq,NY they will still not bother even if they jump....

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Saeed Masood

Dec 26, 2015 11:09am

A great fatherly deed...Great leaders are born in Great countries and great countries have Great leaders...

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Human

Dec 26, 2015 11:53am

@Ahmed Haneef i dont recall anyone praising saddam

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Abu Mohammed

Dec 26, 2015 12:23pm

Strange that Erdagon is being praised by some. Erdogon has done most stupid action in Turkish history of Supporting terrorism and downing Russian Plane.

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Riaz

Dec 26, 2015 12:37pm

The photo at least show that he is arrogant person on the iPhone. His faceshows that he is full of anger. 1. Can he not drop his call for couple of minutes to listen to problem of this poor guy. 2. Can he not come out of car to hug him or at least bring a little smile for this guy.

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H.A.Ghaffar

Dec 26, 2015 01:07pm

Dears, don't compare our leaders with any one of others. Our rotten eegs are ironically unmatched.

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berni

Dec 26, 2015 01:12pm

Seems like he was waiting for Erdogan. Media nowadays engaged in PPP-bashing.

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SR Khan,

Dec 26, 2015 01:33pm

If you elect respectable leader, s/he will respect your right to live a good life but if you elect dishonest people they will only care for their own safety.

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Ahmed Haneef

Dec 26, 2015 02:02pm

@Human .... Sadam was supported by all Arab countries and also Pakistani religious groups. Erdagon has already given go ahead to strengthen ties with Israel while Israel killing Palestinian everyday and demolishing their houses. Overall Erdagon is dragging the region in third world war by supporting ISIS. Yesterday Russia issues footage of 2000 ISIS oil tankers on both side of Iraq Turkish border

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Saeed Masood

Dec 26, 2015 02:14pm

@Riaz ...When you become the President of a country you come out of the car and hug the people...Poor Benazir did try and see what happened...

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Saeed Masood

Dec 26, 2015 02:30pm

Every Muslim country in the world should learn from Iran...straight honest people's government not afraid of anybody only God...came out clean of all the opposition and sanctions...

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El Cid

Dec 26, 2015 03:00pm

Tayyip Erdogan is the leader of a great Muslim country. A humanitarian with moral strength, courage , panache and personality.

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james

Dec 26, 2015 03:14pm

@Ahmed Haneef endrogen is protecting his own country. It's not important to stand side by side with other Muslim nations. He has to look after home before he can join hands with others. All his politics so far is pro Turkey then Muslim.

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Ahmed Haneef

Dec 26, 2015 03:40pm

@james ... Protecting country is every rulers responsibility and right but people don't understand Erdagon's right to invade in iraq and supports ISIS, not only buying oil but also providing complete logistics. There are other stories in world media about women trafficking in Turkey by ISIS, please try to google for further exploration.

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Abu Mohammed

Dec 26, 2015 03:41pm

No comparison of morality with Iran

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kashif

Dec 26, 2015 03:51pm

lucky man....suppose this happening in route of pakistani pm's motor cade ? police/pm security staff have gunned down him.....

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Abu Mohammed

Dec 26, 2015 03:52pm

Erdagon: No problem in protecting country, problems come in destructing other countries in the cover of protecting country. US is using 911.

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shuaib

Dec 26, 2015 05:46pm

@Ali These comments are biased. You rather look what Iran has turned Syria into, just to establish rule of minority over majority.

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Ahmed Haneef

Dec 26, 2015 06:55pm

@shuaib ...If we don't like reality we say biased. Don't you see current video and footage of thousands of ISIS oil tankers on both side of Iraq - Turkish border, still appreciate Mr. Erdagon that Turkey is not involved in Daish oil stealing. I am sure people like you will not believe even if you see by your naked eyes because of Biasing approach.

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Hass

Dec 27, 2015 03:02am

I used to think that Iranian media had little or no impact on its readers because of the fairy tales they tell. Erdogan bashing by Iran or PKK sympathizers is quiet shocking. I suggest reading a history book before accusing Erdogan bombing his own people. and accusing Turkey of buying oil from ISIS is a conspiracy theory of biblical proportions, It makes Saddams clone was hanged rather Saddam himself more believable

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El Cid

Dec 28, 2015 08:03am

@Ahmed Haneef : You know nothing about Turkey, Islamic States and Syria. What is going on there. Goggle is deceptive. There is a lot of propaganda going on against Islam and Muslim. The Internet has been turned into an effective weapon against Islam and Muslims. Don't be taken in. The facts on the ground are very different.

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