On the morning of January 13, an explosion took place near the St. Mary Church and Targmanchats (Translators) Armenian School located in the Ortakyoy District of Istanbul. According to ermenihaber.am, Haberturk news service reports that the explosion took place in the manhole of the sewerage located in that area, after which the nearly 60 kg lid of the manhole went into the air.

There are no victims or injured people, but the residents are horrified and in panic. Police officers, as well as employees providing water and gas supply in Istanbul have been called to the scene of the incident.

Based on studies, they have set forth the hypothesis that the explosion could have been caused by accumulation of methane gas in the sewerage. Police officers have started investigating the incident.