Heavy snowfall blocked traffic among Turkey's main cities and towns in the western and central provinces, forcing the closure of schools on Wednesday.
Due to snowy weather and traffic jams, thousands of travellers and motorists got stuck in such cities as Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Ankara, Tekirdag, Bolu, Balikesir, Canakkale, Kastamonu and Eskisehir
The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said the bad weather forced a one-day extension of the New Year holiday to four days.
AFAD members and volunteers distributed foods and beverages among the stranded people, it added.