Mother and 2 children had lost their lives: Minister Memişoğlu spoke about the Böcek family poisoning tragedy

After falling ill following a meal at a restaurant in Beşiktaş, Çiğdem Böcek and her children Kadir Muhammet (6) and Masal Böcek (3) were taken to the hospital from the hotel where they were staying in Fatih; the mother and her two children lost their lives despite all interventions. The father is still receiving treatment in intensive care.

The fact that other people staying at the same hotel also applied to the hospital with similar complaints directed suspicions toward the pest control treatment at the hotel. However, in the investigation conducted by AFAD as part of the probe led by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was reported that no negative findings related to the pest control were encountered.

While the preliminary autopsy report identified ecchymosis on the children's knees, hyperemia in the stomach mucosa, and submucosal hemorrhages in some areas, it was stated that the exact cause of death would be clarified through laboratory analyses.

So far, 7 people have been detained within the scope of the investigation. The establishment in Ortaköy where the family ate was sealed, and the hotel where the incident occurred was also closed.

Journalist İsmail Saymaz, in his article on Halk TV, relayed his conversation with Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu regarding the poisoning tragedy that has become a major topic in Turkey.

Memişoğlu said the following regarding the treatment the Böcek family received:

“They kept the family under observation. Because they had complaints of gastroenteritis, meaning diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting, they provided treatment on a stretcher and sent them home. We will look at what treatment was given. We have launched an investigation. It will be understood as a result of the investigation. Çapa and Bezmialem are sufficient hospitals. Whether there was a deficiency will be understood when the investigation is finished.”

Saying “I hope he will recover” regarding the father, Mr. Böcek, Memişoğlu stated, “There is always a risk for a patient in intensive care. The acute phase seems to have passed. We will see what it is, what it isn't, and how much he will recover.”

Saymaz reported that Forensic Medicine Institute officials also said, “At this stage, we cannot say ‘This is the cause of death.’ We cannot say whether it was from food or the pest control. We will wait for the result.”

Stating that if the deaths were caused by the pest control performed at the hotel, it would emerge, the officials said, “The chemical can enter the bloodstream through the airway. If the hotel was not ventilated, those who inhaled it, especially children and the mother, could be poisoned.”

The officials stated that the results would be announced in at least one week and at most two weeks.