Heavy rainfall hit Istanbul Thursday, flooding streets causing disruption to public transport, canceling flights and leaving people stranded while trying to get back to their homes during the evening rush hour.

Images shared on social media and Turkish television showed huge hailstones battering the streets of Turkey's most populated city and cars submerged in the torrential downpour.

Flights at Istanbul Atatürk International Airport were canceled and metro services were suspended, officials said.

A large crane overturned at the Haydarpaşa Port, starting an explosion and a subsequent fire that was later brought under control.

The city's tram service between the Bağcılar suburb to Kabataş on the banks of the Bosporus was also suspended.

Authorities also closed down the Eurasia Tunnel, which connects Istanbultarget="_blank"'>