Tragic Holiday Ends in Suspected Poisoning
A family holiday in Turkey has ended in tragedy after a mother and her two young children died from suspected poisoning at their hotel. The Böcek family, German citizens residing in Hamburg, had arrived in Istanbul on November 9 for a holiday.
Timeline of a Tragedy
The family were staying at a hotel in the Fatih district when they began to experience severe nausea and vomiting. They were initially taken to a hospital for treatment and were subsequently discharged. However, the situation took a devastating turn when they returned to their hotel.
Back at the accommodation, the parents discovered their three-year-old daughter, Masal, lying motionless. An ambulance rushed the family back to the hospital. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, neither Masal nor her six-year-old brother, Kadir Muhammet, could be saved.
Their mother, 27-year-old Çiğdem Böcek, fought for her life in intensive care but tragically passed away on Friday morning. The children's father, 36-year-old Servet Böcek, remains hospitalised. He is reported to be unconscious and intubated, fighting for his life.
Investigation and Aftermath
Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation after two other tourists at the same hotel were also hospitalised with similar symptoms of suspected poisoning. The hotel was immediately evacuated and sealed off as a precaution.
In a significant development, investigators have taken four people from establishments where the Böcek family ate into custody. The hotel owner, along with the owner and an employee of a pest control company, have also been detained.
The investigation is focusing on a recent pest control operation that was carried out in a ground-floor room of the hotel. Officials are examining the chemicals used during this treatment.
Çiğdem and her children were laid to rest over the weekend in Bolvadin, Afyonkarahisar Province. Servet's uncle, Recep Yılmaz, shared heartbreaking details with local media, revealing that Çiğdem was told her husband and children were 'fine' before being informed of their deaths just two hours later.
