A family holiday in Istanbul turned into an unimaginable tragedy when a German family of four died after being exposed to a toxic pesticide used for bed bug extermination in their hotel room.
The Desperate Race to Hospital
The nightmare unfolded on November 11th when 38-year-old father Servet Bocek desperately hailed a taxi outside their hotel, pleading with the driver: "Please, take us to the nearest hospital."
The taxi driver later described the harrowing scene to investigators, recalling how Servet hurried his family into the vehicle. The couple's three-year-old daughter Masal was repeatedly vomiting, while mother Cigdem, 27, was already unconscious and slumped against the window.
From Celebration to Tragedy
The family from Hamburg, Germany, had arrived at the Harbour Suites Old City Hotel on November 9th, full of excitement for their Turkish holiday. CCTV footage captured them checking in, anticipating days of exploring Istanbul's famous sights.
Just two days later, after a day of sightseeing, the entire family fell critically ill in their room. They were rushed to Cemil Taskcioglu Hospital suffering from severe nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
Tragically, Cigdem and both children - Masal and six-year-old Kadir Muhammet - died within hours of admission. Servet fought for his life in intensive care for six days before succumbing to the poisoning on Monday.
Investigation Reveals Shocking Cause
Initial suspicions pointed toward food poisoning from local street vendors, but the investigation took a dramatic turn when forensic evidence revealed the true culprit.
Authorities determined that aluminium phosphide, a highly toxic chemical used for bed bug treatment in a ground floor room, had travelled through the bathroom ventilation shaft into the family's accommodation.
The discovery prompted immediate action from Istanbul's Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, who arrested 11 individuals including hotel staff members. Further investigation uncovered that at least one worker from the pest control company lacked proper certification for handling such dangerous chemicals.
The hotel was immediately evacuated and cordoned off as police gathered samples from bedsheets, pillows, water bottles and blankets for additional testing.
Aftermath and Official Response
Heartbroken grandfather Mustafa Celik revealed that his daughter and her family were due to visit him after their week-long holiday. He pledged to file formal complaints against those responsible and demanded the severest possible punishments for anyone found guilty.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave his personal assurance that "Our security forces and prosecutors will lead the necessary investigations to determine the cause of these deaths."
Officers also seized personal items from two other guests who were hospitalised with suspected poisoning, though both survived their ordeal.
The Forensic Medicine Institute continues to examine samples from food stalls and eateries the family visited, while the hotel remains closed pending the ongoing criminal investigation.
