A Turkish newspaper has published video footage of building debris falling from inside the dome of Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, sparking concerns about the former Orthodox Christian cathedral’s integrity and the safety of tourists.
According to Ekathimerini, The BirGün newspaper was able to collect security camera footage from September 2022, which showcases fragments falling from a great height and landing close to the monument’s visitors.
Hagia Sophia was founded as a Greek Orthodox Christian church in the sixth century, later to be transformed into a mosque in 1453 after Ottoman invasion in Constantinople, now Istanbul.
Since 1934, Hagia Sophia has been marvelled over as a museum.
President of the Turkish Art History Association, Serif Yasar urged for the restoration of Hagia Sophia to take place as soon as possible.
“If Hagia Sophia is not restored, it will collapse with the first earthquake,” Yasar said.
It was announced in September that Hagia Sophia will undergo long-term upkeep and renovations, according to reports from the Turkish government.
Source: Ekathimerini
