A family of four who were thought to have died from food poisoning during a trip to Turkey were ‘most likely’ killed by a chemical agent in their hotel, investigators have said.
The family had become violently sick at their hotel in Istanbul last Wednesday, just two days after travelling there from Hamburg, Germany.
It was initially thought that the family had died following a deadly bout of food poisoning after they had set out for the Besiktas district in the north-east of the city to sample local foods on November 12.
But a preliminary report from the Turkish forensic institute has revealed that the deaths of father Servet, 38, mother Cigdem Bocek, 27, and their two children Masal, three, and Kadir, six, were most likely caused by chemical poisoning at the hotel, state broadcaster TRT reported.
The forensic institute is looking into reports of poisoning from chemicals used to combat pests in the Turkish hotel and samples are now being analysed, according to the news channel.
Food poisoning has not been completely ruled out as the potential killer, but the likelihood is currently considered to be low.
The German family were transported to hospital on November 12 after they had ventured out to try the popular street snack midye – a dish of stuffed mussels served with lemon.
They later ordered a mix of dishes at a local restaurant, including kokorec, made from calf intestines, and tavuk tantuni, a type of chicken wrap.
The family then treated themselves to Turkish delights from a shop in the Fatih area before returning to their hotel.
But soon after, the children started suffering from extreme nausea and vomiting. On the way to hospital, Bocek and Servet started showing the same symptoms.
The taxi driver who took them has since revealed that they seemed ‘in a panic’ on their way to hospital.
‘I tried to talk to the father. When I asked him what was happening, he replied: “We ate and drank something and it probably affected us”. He said to me: “Please, take us to the nearest hospital”.’
He added that the young girl had been vomiting continuously, and that the mother appeared ‘semi-conscious’ during the ride.
Tragically, the two children died on the Wednesday, Bocek lost her life on Friday, and Servet died on Monday following the sickness.
The grandfather of the children has demanded answers and questioned whether others have fallen ill.
Another two tourists staying at the same hotel were hospitalised on Saturday after displaying symptoms of nausea and vomiting, according to BirGun newspaper.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday: ‘The investigation is currently being carried out comprehensively. It will be revealed what caused the deaths.’
Following investigations, 11 suspects have now been arrested, and according to the Anadolu news agency, arrest warrants were issued for four of them on Monday evening.
These included sweet vendors, stuffed mussels seller, a kokorec vendor and a cafe owner.
