Increasing Iranians have been arriving at the eastern Turkish border city of Van to seek shelter from the intensifying Israeli strikes as the regional conflict between Iran and Israel shows no sign of de-escalation.
With its visa-free policy allowing Iranians to stay up to 90 days, Türkiye has become a key destination for Iranians escaping the rising tensions.
The Kapikoy Border Crossing in Van has been handling more and more Iranian arrivals. The city's buses and planes are overbooked as many of the shelter-seekers from Iran said they plan to travel to other major Turkish cities like Istanbul and Ankara.
Meanwhile, many Iranians are forced to stay in Van due to strained transportation capacity, which have driven up occupancy rates in the city's hotels, including Bianca Deluxe Hotel, whose 57 guest rooms have been all booked since Tuesday.
"Iranian tourists usually account for about 50 percent of the guests in local hotels during this period of a normal year, but in recent days, the percentage has risen to 80 percent, marking an increase from the last year, due to the rising conflict," said Fatih, manager of Bianca Deluxe Hotel.
Fatih said the people in the Middle East have suffered too much bitterness due to years of conflicts, and he hopes the ongoing conflict will end soon so that the impacted people will return to a normal life.
"We hope these predicaments will come to an end as soon as possible, and that all countries can solve the problems with each other, allowing people to live together in peace and happiness," he said.
Increasing Iranians flee to Turkish border city
Increasing Iranians flee to Turkish border city
