What was the Istanbul Pogrom?
Q: What was the Istanbul Pogrom?
A: The Istanbul Pogrom was a pogrom directed primarily against the Istanbul's Greek minority on September 6 and 7, 1955. Jews and Armenians living in the city and their businesses were also targeted.
Q: Who orchestrated the pogrom?
A: According to some circles, it was orchestrated by the Turkish government.
Q: How long did it last?
A: It lasted for nine hours.
Q: How many people died as a result of beatings and arson during or after the pogrom?
A: Between 13 and 16 Greeks (including two Orthodox clerics) and at least one Armenian died during or after the pogrom as a result of beatings and arson.
Q: What other atrocities occurred during this event?
A: Dozens of Greek women were raped, and a number of men were forcibly circumcised by the mob.
Q: What kind of damage occurred to buildings in Istanbul?
A: 4,348 Greek-owned businesses, 110 hotels, 27 pharmacies, 23 schools, 21 factories, 73 churches and over a thousand Greek-owned homes were badly damaged or destroyed.
Q: What is estimated to be the economic cost of this damage?
A: Estimates vary from Turkish government's estimate of 24.8 million US$, British diplomat estimates of 100 million GBP (about 200 million US$), World Council of Churches’ estimate of 150 million USD, and Greek government's estimate of 500 million US$.
