The outage was confirmed in some 23 provinces, including Ankara and Istanbul, by news agency Anadolu. Later information from Broadcaster NTV put the number at 40. An energy official at the ministry has offered no immediate comment, while the power supplier TEIAS likewise did not respond to questions.
The subway system is at a standstill and flights across the country have also suffered setbacks.
Her dakika yenisi ekleniyor! Türkiye genelinde elektrik kesintisi yaşanan iller http://t.co/keucdN32nY pic.twitter.com/CP1jiWAHxU
— CNN Türk (@cnnturk) March 31, 2015
"@spillthenews: affected cities in #Turkey by the #TurkeyBlackOut pic.twitter.com/49n6cvrOwe" wow, talk about nation wide.
— Christopher James (@travelingmitch) March 31, 2015
Turkey's Anadolu agency reports that the outages struck around 10:36am Turkish time, according to officials. Flights in and out of the capital have been grounded.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu says all potential causes are being investigated currently, "including the possibility of a terror attack."
Anyone on #Periscope in #turkeyblackout ?? @LucyKafanov
— IvorCrotty (@IvorCrotty) March 31, 2015
This is the first outage event of such magnitude in 15 years, according to the daily Hurriyet paper.
Eleven out of 16 flight radar receivers are reported to be down, according to Turkish air traffic control.
Electricity blackouts in at least 23 Turkish provinces including Ankara and Istanbul. Metro trains grind to a halt.
— Isobel Finkel (@is_fink) March 31, 2015
Burası Taksim Metrosu elektrikler kesildi göç ediyoruz. pic.twitter.com/6WwFoDkRV2
— Tayfun Geçim (@tayfungecim) March 31, 2015
#BREAKING: MORE PHOTOS FROM #TURKEYBLACKOUT pic.twitter.com/QQp7hyKoxc
— Kaya Alexander Heyse (@KayaHeyse) March 31, 2015
A widespread power outage in Turkey is affecting flights. 11 of 16 FR24 receivers are down. http://t.co/F84acygyGx pic.twitter.com/O1TgT1qjI5
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 31, 2015
Now that you remind us of the other blackouts, there is something fishy going on. This was man made because the blackout started at about the same time everywhere. The only city not affected was Van (near Lake Van) because it receives electricity from Iran.
Luckily, the district where I live in Istanbul has electricity now but our elevators are out of order and maintenance will come at about 5 pm.