First statement from President Erdoğan following 'school attack': There is no politics in grief

Following the attack in Şanlıurfa, an armed attack was carried out today at Ayser Çalık Middle School in Kahramanmaraş. 9 people lost their lives in the attack, and 13 people were injured, 6 of them seriously. President Erdoğan made a statement on his social media account following the attack. 

"WE HAVE LOST OUR BRIGHT CHILDREN AND A SELFLESS EDUCATOR"

Stating that the attack should not be used as material for political polemics or rating concerns, Erdoğan used the following expressions in his statement:

I convey my best wishes for a speedy recovery to all our citizens and all our families, especially our dear children, who were affected by the armed attack that took place in Kahramanmaraş and deeply saddened all of Turkey. Unfortunately, we lost our bright children and a selfless educator in this tragic attack. I pray for God's mercy upon the souls we have lost; I wish patience to their grieving families and offer my condolences to our education community.

"IT WILL CERTAINLY BE CLARIFIED"

Our public prosecutors, civil and educational inspectors are meticulously conducting the investigations that were immediately launched. The incident will certainly be clarified in all its dimensions. Our Ministers of National Education, Family and Social Services, Interior, Justice, and Health have arrived in Kahramanmaraş to attend to our injured and our brothers and sisters affected by the incident, to share in the pain, and to personally manage the process.

"THERE IS NO POLITICS IN GRIEF"

It is a moral as well as a conscientious duty that such an attack, which has cast a shadow over the hearts of all of us as a nation, should not be used as material for political polemics or rating concerns. There is no politics in grief. Given the sensitivity of the incident, I request all segments of society, especially our members of the press, to show the necessary care. During this process, I urge our nation not to give credence to false and incorrect news or posts containing disinformation, and to take into account the statements of our relevant public institutions. I once again wish a speedy recovery to our children, our families, and our teachers.

16 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE ATTACK IN ŞANLIURFA

According to information obtained in Şanlıurfa, an armed attack took place yesterday morning at the Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School located in the Hasan Çelebi neighborhood. 19-year-old Ömer Ket, who was learned to be a former student of the school, injured 16 people with a pump-action shotgun before committing suicide. 4 school administrators were suspended from duty, and 4 unions went on strike.