Turkish singer Metin Arolat dies during live performance

Dubai: Well-known Turkish singer and music video director Metin Arolat died during a live performance in Kozjatagi in Istanbul on Saturday.

The 52-year-old artist collapsed on stage after performing through pain, with friends suspecting his health was compromised by a strict diet, according to local media reports.

Despite experiencing pain and numbness in his hand, Arolat continued with the performance but suffered a heart attack on stage. A nurse in the audience rushed to his aid and called 911. Despite the efforts of doctors, Arolat died on the way to hospital.

Singer Demet Sagiroglu, a close friend of Arolat, spoke to the media outside the hospital, suggesting that his health may have been affected by his diet. “He was very close to me, like a brother. He was on a diet... I don’t think his heart could take it. It got worse after he went on stage,” she said.

Metin Arolat gained popularity in the 1990s as a Turkish singer and music video director. In addition to his singing career, Arolat was known for directing music videos for numerous Turkish artists.