Banknotes scattered across Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport

Banknotes were strewn across the ramp of the airport after two bags full of 10 Turkish Lira banknotes ripped apart, sliding from the cargo hold of Turkish Airlines’ (THY) Zurich-bound plane while the plane was in transit. 



The plane, carrying a total of 170 grey-colored bags full of money belonging to the Central Bank, parked in an open-air parking area at around 10:30 p.m. on May 14 after all passengers had departed the plane. All 170 bags were taken to baggage carrying vehicles for the transfer.

A Turkish ground services worker in charge of transferring the baggage from the cargo hold to the airplane informed his superiors about the incident. 



The General Directorate of State Airports Authority’s (DHMİ) staff came to the scene and put all the money that could be gathered into plastic bags. They later sent the money in bundled bags to the airport’s police station, where the police interrogated the ground services staff.

An investigation has been launched into the incident.