Taxi driver critically injured after assault by passenger in Istanbul

A taxi driver in Istanbul's Şişli district is in intensive care after being severely beaten by a passenger, an incident that has highlighted safety concerns within the profession. The driver, Erdal Çiçek, was reportedly arguing with a male passenger when the altercation escalated on Mecidiyeköy Merkez Caddesi.

The dispute led Çiçek to pull his vehicle over. During the ensuing fight, the driver suffered a heart attack. Passersby administered CPR and rushed him to Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu City Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

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We don't know who we are carrying in our vehicles. We have become a profession that carries Azrael in its vehicle.

Authorities apprehended the suspect, who attempted to flee after the attack, and handed him over to the police. Meanwhile, fellow taxi drivers gathered outside the hospital to support Çiçek and voice their frustrations. Deniz Dündar, head of the Istanbul Taxi Drivers Association, described the profession as carrying "Azrael" (the Angel of Death) in their vehicles, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of their passengers and the risks involved.

"We don't know who we are carrying in our vehicles," Dündar stated, recounting the witness accounts of the fight that began inside the car and moved outside, culminating in the driver's collapse. The drivers are awaiting news of their colleague's condition.

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The fight that started inside the vehicle spilled outside. Our brother Erdal had a heart attack at the scene. Efforts were made to get him to the hospital with CPR. We are here, waiting for good news.