Meltem Bozbeyoglu, a Turkish television journalist, gained significant attention after her poised delivery of news during a recent earthquake. Footage shared across social media platforms captured the moment when Bozbeyoglu was live on CNN Türk, and the studio was jolted by the tremors.
On April 23, at approximately 1 p.m. local time, a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck Istanbul, prompting a visibly shaken Bozbeyoglu to raise her hand in a gesture of caution, her voice reflecting the concern of the moment.
Later that day, the Associated Press reported on statements made by Turkey’s Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, indicating that the primary quake was followed by over 50 aftershocks, the most significant measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale. Bozbeyoglu’s resilience during this critical moment caught the attention of viewers nationwide.
Profile of Meltem Bozbeyoglu: A Career in Journalism
Born on December 5, 1992, Meltem Bozbeyoglu has built a robust career in journalism since she began in 2012. She initially studied Public Relations and Publicity at Istanbul Kültür University, where she graduated with honors. She also holds a degree in Advertising from Istanbul University, supported by extensive internships in the media field.
Bozbeyoglu’s first professional position was with the Anadolu Agency’s Sports Department, where she reported for two years before moving to TRT in 2014 to host the Sports Critic program. In the same year, she enhanced her skills with training in diction, commentary, and presentation at Dialog.
Subsequently, she transitioned to Istanbul FM, where she crafted news content and delivered hourly news broadcasts for two years. After refining her voice and articulation on radio, Bozbeyoglu advanced to television, joining Kanal7 News Centre in 2016. Over four years as a reporter, she covered various critical issues, including political developments, economic changes, natural disasters, and conflict zones.
In 2019, she moved to Show Haber as the Weekend Main News anchor and garnered widespread recognition for her impactful reporting over three years. Her professional accolades include the title of Best Reporter of the Year at the 2nd Capital Awards in 2018 and Most Successful Reporter of the Year at the KırmızıTürk Golden Success Awards.
In 2021, Bozbeyoglu joined CNN Türk, where she continues to deliver news and highlight significant stories, including her recent coverage of the earthquake. She also hosted a film program on Istanbul TV.
While the initial reports indicated no serious structural damage, the Associated Press noted the earthquake did cause alarm across Istanbul and beyond, resulting in panic and injuries among citizens.
At least 236 individuals received medical treatment, primarily in Istanbul, where many were injured in the chaos, often leading to jumps from buildings in an attempt to escape fear. According to the US Geological Survey, the quake’s epicenter was in the Sea of Marmara, located about 40 kilometers southwest of Istanbul.
A report from People Magazine stated, as of April 23, that more than 150 individuals suffered injuries related to the earthquake’s shock waves. The Istanbul governor’s office confirmed:
“Due to panic, 151 of our citizens were injured from jumping from heights. Their treatments are ongoing in hospitals, and they are not in life-threatening condition.”
As of now, further updates regarding the earthquake remain sparse, but the incident highlights the ongoing seismic risks facing Turkey.