The deaths of a Turkish family and their children in Istanbul, following treatment for food poisoning, has prompted a criminal investigation into possible negligence.
Family and Trip Overview
What: 27‑year‑old Cigdem Böcek, 36‑year‑old husband Servet Böcek, and their 3‑year‑old daughter Masal and 6‑year‑old son Kadirem, originally from Hamburg, were on a vacation in Istanbul.
They stayed at an Istanbul hotel and ate meals at local establishments.
Timeline of the Incident
On 11 November, the family left the hotel in the morning, ate seafood and sausage, returned at about 7 p.m., and went back to the hotel.
On 12 November they began showing symptoms of food poisoning – vomiting and weakness – and were taken to the hospital, given medication, and discharged.
On the night of 13 November, at around 2:20 a.m., Cigdem called emergency services after discovering her daughter unconscious. By 3 a.m. all four were admitted to the hospital; the children died the same day and Cigdem died the next day.
Medical Findings and Investigation
Post‑mortem examinations revealed severe ulcers and extensive bleeding in the stomachs of the deceased; a definitive cause of death will be determined by toxicology.
The Turkish prosecutor’s office has opened a case for negligent homicide and has arrested seven individuals, including a local vendor and a restaurant owner.
The restaurant where the family ate was closed, and a hygiene services company may be investigated for possible chemical exposure in the hotel.
Response from Family and Officials
Father Mustafa Celik criticized the hospital’s treatment and requested that the Ministry of Health investigate the clinic. The mother’s sister also expressed outrage over the care received.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed that investigative findings have been forwarded to the Institute of Forensic Medicine.
Accusations of Chemical Exposure
On 15 November it was reported that a chemical pest‑control agent had been sprayed in the hotel, leading to the detention of a hotel employee and two staff from the pesticide company.