The father of a family from Hamburg has died in Istanbul after the mother and two children succumbed to poisoning symptoms last week. Investigators are examining food poisoning and possible chemicals from hotel disinfection. Eleven suspects have been detained.
A family from Hamburg suffered severe poisoning symptoms during their vacation in Istanbul, leading to the death of all four members. The mother and her two young children died last week, and the father followed on Monday evening in an Istanbul hospital, as authorities reported. The head of the Istanbul Health Directorate, Abdullah Emre Güner, confirmed the father's death on X.
The family arrived in Istanbul more than a week ago, a destination they visited annually for vacation. On Wednesday, they were admitted to a hospital for nausea and vomiting with suspected food poisoning and initially discharged. Their condition worsened, however, leading to readmission that night. The children died shortly after, and the mother on Friday.
Investigators initially suspect food poisoning, possibly from street food like mussels or kokorec. The public prosecutor's office reconstructed their culinary activities, from a kebab restaurant to street stalls, without clear evidence so far. They are also examining poisoning from chemicals used for pest control in the family's hotel. An initial autopsy on the mother and children yielded no significant results; toxicological reports and a forensic medical opinion are awaited.
The hotel came under scrutiny after two other guests showed similar symptoms and required treatment, though not life-threatening. One room had been disinfected with chemicals. Authorities evacuated and sealed the hotel and closed a restaurant in Besiktas. In total, eleven suspects were detained, including sellers of sweets, stuffed mussels, kokorec, and a cafe owner, accused of negligent homicide. Three more – two hotel employees and a pest controller – were arrested on Monday. Eight are to be presented to a detention judge.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated after a cabinet meeting that investigations are proceeding in all directions to determine the cause of death.