World Bulletin / News Desk

Eleven vehicles were involved in a multi-vehicle accident on the Haliç Bridge, which is currently undergoing construction work, on Thursday morning, causing injuries to two people, Cihan news agency reported.

The Haliç Bridge, which spans the Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosporus, has been undergoing construction since Monday, along with maintenance work on the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, which connects the two sides of the Bosporus. The work on the two bridges has put added pressure on the city's already congested roads, causing hours-long traffic jams even over distances that would normally take 10 or 15 minutes to traverse.

The multi-vehicle accident occurred at the exit of the Haliç Bridge, blocking traffic running toward the Mecidiyeköy district.

The two people injured in the crash, Güler Fidancı and Cemalettin Yılman, were taken by ambulance to the Okmeydanı Teaching and Research Hospital, where doctors pronounced them in good condition.

Most of the involved drivers blamed sun glare obliterating the view of the vehicles in front of them for the incident. Damage to the subject automobiles was significant, news reports said.

Traffic on the bridge got back to normal only after the affected cars were removed. An investigation has been launched into the accident.

Monday, the first day of maintenance work on the two bridges, was a nightmarish day for most İstanbul commuters, with traffic jams stretching for kilometers in various parts of the city. Three lanes on the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge were closed to traffic for the start of a three-month period of renovation on the bridge.

The renovation is being carried out during the summer months because fewer cars cross the bridge at this time.