Turkey: Erdogan talks man out of suicide

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has talked a man out of jumping off a bridge in Istanbul. The man was spotted behind the railings of Bosphorus bridge, which links Europe with Asia, threatening to kill himself when the president's motorcade was passing.

Police had been trying for almost two hours to talk the man out of committing suicide. Dogan news agency said the man has been suffering from depression for a long time due to family problems.

Footage shot by Dogan shows Erdogan's bodyguards move towards the man, believed to be in his late 30s, and telling him that Erdogan was in the car and that he should meet the president. "Yes, it's true, that's the president over there," Erdogan's bodyguards are seen telling the man while pointing to a black Mercedes.

The footage shows the man confused but moving away from the railing. A few seconds later, one of the bodyguards grabs the man's arm and others follow suit. Then, the unidentified man willingly climbs down to safety. He is then escorted to the car while the cameramen continue to film the incident.

The man is then seen shaking the president's hand and a short conversation follows. Erdogan remained seated inside the car holding an iPhone. Erdogan apparently said something soothing to the man who kissed Erdogan's hand before walking away.

Erdogan was on his way to office after attending Friday prayers on 25 December. Later in the day, the Turkish president's office reported that the president had talked the man out of jumping off the bridge. Erdogan also promised to help the depressed man, it added.