VIDEO: Turkish Opposition Leader Dies After Balcony Collapse Celebrating Victory

The opposition Republican People's Party of Turkey has announced the death of its deputy chairman, Mehmet Palaz. He died as a result of a balcony collapse during a celebration of the party's victory in one of the districts of Denizli province.

The balcony, where attendees were celebrating the party's success in the elections, collapsed. The party stated that Palaz was hospitalized along with eight others. Doctors were unable to save the politician's life.

Preliminary results from the March 31 local elections in Turkey confirmed the nearly 99 percent defeat of the ruling Justice and Development Party. The opposition Republican People's Party celebrated a historic win over the ruling party for the first time in 20 years. The main opposition party achieved victories in Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey's two largest cities, as well as in many other cities.

Speaking before his supporters in Ankara, the Turkish president promised to respect the will of the nation.