Beloved Turkish Singer Dies After Collapsing On Stage During Performance

Turkish singer Volkan Konak has died at age 58 after collapsing on stage during a performance on the island of Cyprus. The show took place in İskele, a town in northern Cyprus, on March 30. Videos of Konak’s performance show him looking energetic before the sudden incident.

Videos by American Songwriter

Konak collapsed mid-performance and was rushed off the stage, where venue staff performed first aid. He was immediately taken to a hospital in Famagusta, Cyprus, and pronounced dead on March 31 shortly after his arrival.

The hospital released a statement following Konak’s death, according to Turkish news outlets. “[Volkan Konak] was admitted to our hospital at [12:17 a.m.] with cardiorespiratory arrest,” the statement reads, as translated by Turkish outlet Hispanatolia. “[He] was immediately transferred to the resuscitation room, where an advanced life support team attempted resuscitation for 25 minutes. However, despite all medical interventions, there was no response.” The statement added, “Konak was declared dead at [12:42 a.m.] and CPR was concluded.”

Volkan Konak Was Beloved By Turkish Fans for His Distinctive Voice and Poetic Inspirations

Turkey is mourning the loss of a beloved figure in folk music with the sudden passing of Volkan Konak. His fellow artists are paying tribute along with fans as the news of his death spreads. Turkish singer Hakan Altun traveled to the hospital in Cyprus as soon as he learned of Konak’s collapse. He spoke to journalists outside the hospital, expressing his grief at losing a friend and contemporary.

“Our pain is immense. This is a huge loss,” said Altun, adding, “I pray to God to have mercy on his soul.” Additionally, the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism also shared the sad news, stating, in part, that “his works will live on in our memories.”

Volkan Konak was born on February 27, 1967 in the village of Maçka in the Trabzon Province of Turkey. He blended traditional Turkish folk music with modern styles and elements, and was often inspired by the poetry and literature of his native country. He debuted in 1987, and went on to capture the hearts and minds of Turkish fans. He won numerous awards in Turkey, and also started his own production company, Kuzey Müzik Prodüksiyon.

Featured Image via Instagram/Volkan Konak