Turkey: Mysterious deaths from food poisoning

A four-member family of German nationality with Turkish roots visited Istanbul for a short vacation. Last Tuesday at noon they ate street food—either from a neighborhood spot or from street vendors—choosing popular items recommended by many travel guides: kokoreç, stuffed mussels, sweets. This choice appears to have been fatal. According to Deutsche Welle, the couple’s two young children died in hospital, followed shortly by the mother, while the father remains in intensive care. The likely cause of death has been cited as “food poisoning,” though it has not yet been confirmed whether it came from the specific foods consumed.

An unusual development also occurred: on Wednesday the entire family was admitted to a hospital with clear symptoms (nausea, vomiting), but they were discharged shortly afterward. As the symptoms persisted, they were admitted again the same day. The two young children, aged three and six, died a short time later. Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated that authorities have arrested four suspects. According to state broadcaster TRT, the detainees are expected to face charges of negligent homicide. Shortly beforehand, authorities had shut down a neighborhood restaurant in Beşiktaş “indefinitely and for public health reasons.”

Possible “poisoning” of other tourists
The case appears to be widening. According to DHA and Anadolu, two additional tourists—from Italy and Morocco—who were staying at the same hotel as the family also showed symptoms of food poisoning. Both were taken to hospital but are out of danger. The hotel owner told CNN Türk that the hotel has no restaurant and only provides guests with water.

Authorities have taken samples of this water and are also examining the building’s security cameras.