Family's Tragic End in Istanbul Possibly Linked to Hotel Pesticide, Report Suggests

According to initial findings cited by Turkey's state media, a Turkish-German family of four is believed to have been poisoned by harmful fumes from a pesticide deployed to handle a bug problem at their hotel.

The Bocek family traveled from Germany and checked into lodging located in Istanbul’s Fatih area. They became unwell on November 12 and sought medical attention at a hospital before returning to their accommodations. Unfortunately, their conditions worsened the next day, necessitating an ambulance.

Tragically, the children, Kadir Muhammet, aged 6, and Masal, only 3 years old, succumbed to their illness on the day they fell severely ill. The mother, Cigdem, passed away on November 14, with the father, Servet, following on November 17.

Samples from the hotel indicated the presence of phosphine gas, a byproduct of a pesticide, on towels, face masks, and across various parts of the room, according to a preliminary report delivered to prosecutors.

An autopsy dispelled theories of food poisoning, pointing out that the family had not ingested toxic food, dismissing earlier beliefs about unsafe street food consumption during their sightseeing.

The incident also affected other guests, with two additional tourists experiencing symptoms like nausea and vomiting, leading to their hospitalization, stated Anadolu.

As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities have taken 11 individuals into custody and have ordered the hotel to cease operations.

The deaths have sparked widespread concern over the security protocols in place at hotels, resulting in demands for tighter regulation and supervision.

Those apprehended in connection to the tragic event included the hotel's proprietor, some employees, and individuals involved in food provision and pest control services.

In a public address following a Cabinet meeting, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the investigation into this grave incident would be thorough and extensive, led by security and judicial entities.

Echoing these sentiments, Istanbul’s regional health authority leader, Abdullah Emre Guner, asserted that their inquiry was proceeding with the most careful attention. He offered his condolences to the grieving family and extended sympathies to their loved ones.