Policeman caught taking selfie as man attempted suicide on Istanbul bridge

ISTANBUL

This picture shared on social media triggered huge controversy.

A man committed suicide in the morning hours of Sept. 1 in Istanbul, jumping into the waters of the Bosphorus Strait from the Bosphorus Bridge. However, the tragedy has been overshadowed by controversy after a police officer was photographed taking a selfie while police teams were trying to talk the man down in the background.

After three hours atop the bridge, the man jumped at 9.35 a.m., and his body was found soon after by naval police, Radyo Trafik reported, citing official sources.

Sadrettin Şaşkın, 35, the victim, was alive when he was pulled out of the strait at the Ortaköy pier under the bridge, but could not be saved despite efforts, according to officials.

This was his third suicide attempt, sources said, adding he was suffering some family problems and a financial bottleneck.

Meanwhile, an administrative investigation has immediately been launched by the Police Department into the officer who took the selfie at the scene of the suicide, daily Hürriyet has reported. The photo also drew a large reaction on social media, as the officer was accused of behaving in an insensitive manner.