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Soldiers briefly knocked CNN Turkey off the air during coup attempt

CNN continued to broadcast on Facebook Live and has since retaken the airwaves.

 

Dell Cameron

Tech

Posted on Jul 15, 2016   Updated on May 26, 2021, 10:55 am CDT

Soldiers supporting a military coup in Turkey burst into the local CNN station early Saturday morning at the Dogan Media Center in Istanbul, but soon after, CNN Turkey staffers had retaken the studio and began broadcasting again.

Reporters inside the building took to Facebook Live, much like the rest of the country, as Turkish citizens appeared to storm the lower floor of the building, chanting loudly for the soldiers to “get out” of the building.

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CNN Turk Director Erdogan Aktas was reportedly heard telling his staff to shut down their computers and leave the floor where live coverage of the attempted coup was being filmed. The broadcast continued, however, displaying an empty seat at the anchor’s desk.

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had appeared on CNN Turk via FaceTime. He encouraged viewers to protest the coup, telling them to “go to the streets” and “give them their answer.”

Added Erdoğan: “Those who are responsible, we will give them the necessary punishment.”

Journalists at major Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News, also housed in the Dogan Media Center, tweeted images of soldiers who forced their way into the building and detained them.

CNN Turk continued to broadcast on Facebook after the soldiers entered the building.

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But soon after, Erdogan Aktas reappeared on the airwaves. 

And people were most definitely watching.

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It is not yet known how many have been killed or injured in the surprise military coup which began late Friday night local time. Explosions have been seen hitting the Turkish parliament in Ankara where tanks had been reported. Prior to going off air, CNN Turk reported some police and parliament staff had been wounded.

Crowds of people have reportedly gathered in the streets surrounding Taksim Square where police and military have also reportedly exchanged fire. A series of large explosions has also been reported near the square. 

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*First Published: Jul 15, 2016, 10:20 pm CDT