According to reports, the fire occurred while the tram was stopped at Taksim Square to drop off passengers, most of whom were tourists. This allowed them to leave the carriage quickly before any harm could come to them. Local sources reported that the tram driver used the fire extinguisher he had to attempt to control the flames until the fire teams arrived.
The red tram is one of Istanbul’s most prominent tourist attractions, with visitors keen to ride it and take photos beside it during their tours of Istiklal Street and Taksim Square.
