A tragic incident occurred during a family holiday as a mother and her two children passed away due to suspected poisoning. The Böcek family, German citizens residing in Hamburg, arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 9 and were staying at a hotel in the Fatih district. The family was hospitalized after experiencing symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
Following initial treatment, the family was discharged, only to return to the hospital later when their three-year-old daughter, Masal, became unresponsive. Despite medical efforts, Masal and her six-year-old brother, Kadir Muhammet, did not survive. The mother, 27-year-old Çiğdem, tragically passed away in intensive care, while her husband, 36-year-old Servet, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Two other tourists from the same hotel were also hospitalized for suspected poisoning, leading to the evacuation and closure of the establishment. Investigations revealed that pest control had been recently conducted in a ground-floor room of the hotel, prompting authorities to scrutinize the chemicals used in the process.
Authorities have taken four individuals from the establishments where the family dined, as well as the hotel owner and a pest control company owner and employee, into custody for questioning. The deceased mother and her children were laid to rest in Bolvadin, Afyonkarahisar Province, over the weekend.
Servet’s uncle, Recep Yılmaz, expressed the family’s anguish, stating that Çiğdem had inquired about her husband and children’s well-being before her sudden deterioration. He emphasized the need for accountability and justice, urging for those responsible to be held accountable for the tragic loss of life.
