ISTANBUL — 1955 · Major Tragedy

The 6–7 September 1955 Events: Pillage Sparked by a False Report

ClosedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

After Istanbul newspapers carried a false report on 5–6 September 1955 that a bomb had been thrown at Atatürk's birthplace in Thessaloniki, crowds gathered in Taksim on the evening of 6 September and, starting on İstiklal Avenue, attacked homes and businesses belonging to Greek citizens. The violence spread to other parts of the city. According to official figures, 4,214 homes, 1,004 businesses, 73 churches and 26 schools were damaged. The death toll is not known exactly but was recorded as at least 11; some estimates are higher. Martial law was declared the same night and more than 5,000 people were detained. After the 1960 coup the events were among the matters tried at Yassıada. They accelerated the emigration of Istanbul's Greek community.

Date: 1955
Place: Beyoğlu, Istanbul
Category: Major Tragedy
Case Status: Closed
Coordinates: 41.0340, 28.9780 ↗

Timeline of Events

5–6 September 1955A false report spread that Atatürk's house in Thessaloniki had been bombed.
6 September 1955, eveningCrowds from Taksim attacked minority-owned property.

6 September 1955, nightMartial law was declared in Istanbul.
1960–1961The events were among the matters tried at Yassıada.

Sources

Vikipedi — 6-7 Eylül Olayları tr.wikipedia.org ↗
Şalom — 6-7 Eylül Felaketi: Neler yaşanmıştı? salom.com.tr ↗
Wikipedia (Turkish)
Şalom

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