11 people detained after deaths on suspicion of poisoning in Istanbul

The number of people detained over the deaths of three individuals in Istanbul — after a family of four was hospitalized on suspicion of food poisoning — has risen to 11.

A family of four vacationing in Istanbul lost their two children, ages three and six, along with their mother on November 14.

The father remains in intensive care.

In the initial phase of the investigation, police detained the mussel vendor, kokoreç seller, Turkish delight seller, and the owner of a café where the family had eaten.

The Forensic Medicine Institute’s initial examination was unable to determine the cause of death.

On November 15, two additional tourists staying at the same hotel in Fatih were hospitalized with symptoms of poisoning.

Authorities reported that the District Health Directorate, AFAD, and other authorized institutions conducted the necessary inspections at the hotel and collected samples.

According to information from prosecutor’s office sources, investigators learned that the hotel had been sprayed with pesticides on the evening of November 11. Subsequent measurements showed no harmful effects.

Following the first four detentions, authorities also detained the hotel owner, the son of the pesticide company owner, and the personnel who carried out the spraying on November 15.

On the morning of November 17, two hotel employees and the individual who applied the pesticide were taken into custody, raising the total number of detainees to 11.

The hotel was evacuated and sealed, while two more guests staying there were hospitalized.

Another person accompanying them also began treatment after experiencing heart rhythm disturbances.

The family had come from Germany

The family, who traveled to Türkiye from Germany for a holiday, dined at various restaurants in Ortaköy, Istanbul, on November 11.

They later experienced nausea and vomiting and went to a nearby hospital on November 12, where they were treated and discharged.

An ambulance was called to the hotel around 02:20 a.m. on November 13, after the mother sought help, and the family was transported to the hospital.

Istanbul Provincial Health Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Emre Güner shared a statement on the X platform on the evening of November 13, saying, “We are deeply saddened by the fact that members of the Böcek family, who were staying at a hotel in the Fatih district, were hospitalized with suspected food poisoning and two of our children lost their lives.”

Güner later announced that the Ministry of Health had not observed any unusual rise in food poisoning cases across Istanbul.

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç also commented on the incident, saying, “The investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is being meticulously carried out.”

Authorities collected vomit samples from the hotel room for analysis.

When the bodies were released to relatives, they stated that the Böcek family had come to Türkiye from Germany for a one-week holiday.

What are the symptoms of food poisoning?

Along with digestive issues such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and abdominal cramps, a high fever may sometimes occur.

Other symptoms can include fatigue, headache, blurred or double vision, loss of movement in the limbs, and tingling or itching of the skin.

Symptoms usually appear within a few hours of eating contaminated food, but in some cases, they can continue for several days.

What to do in case of food poisoning?

In cases of food poisoning, Dr. Tristan Cogan, senior lecturer in infectious diseases at the University of Bristol, advises:

“Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.”

“Do not go to school or work until the illness ends or until two days have passed since the diarrhea stopped. Some viruses can spread from person to person as well as through food.”

“In most cases, your body will fight off the infection within a few days. If you cannot keep water down and become dehydrated, see a doctor.”

Cogan also recommends adjusting your diet during recovery:

“Start with light meals. Choose low-fat and low-fiber foods until you feel better.”

When should you see a doctor?

Food poisoning symptoms often ease within a few days. However, according to the UK National Health Service, you should seek medical attention if you experience: