Ece Gürel found alive

Landscape architect Ece Gürel, who went missing in Istanbul, has been found alive as part of search efforts conducted in the Belgrade Forest.

The search efforts launched to find Gürel (36), who left her home in the Gültepe neighborhood of Kağıthane on Sunday, March 2, stating she was going to the Belgrade Forest and had not been heard from since, have yielded results.

It was reported that Gürel, who was found alive by teams in the Belgrade Forest, had minor injuries but is in good health.

FIRST STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

A statement was issued by the Istanbul Governor's Office regarding the discovery of Ece Gürel.

The statement included the following: "The individual named Ece GÜREL (36), who went to the Belgrade Forest for a walk and was subsequently not heard from, was found alive in a rugged forested area as of 01:15 on 06.03.2025.

Ece Gürel, who was found as a result of search and rescue efforts carried out under the coordination of AFAD, has been taken to the hospital by medical teams."

WHAT HAPPENED?

After relatives of Ece Gürel (36), who left her home in the Gültepe neighborhood of Kağıthane on Sunday, March 2, saying she was going to the Belgrade Forest, filed a missing person report, a search was launched with the participation of police, AFAD, UMKE, AKUT, and search and rescue teams from numerous district municipalities. Divers from the Istanbul Fire Department Underwater Search and Rescue (İSAK) also conducted dives and operations at the Valide Sultan Dam.

A mobile phone and some personal belongings determined to belong to Gürel were found during the operations in the Belgrade Forest, and footage of the missing woman leaving her home, as well as the moment she got off the IETT bus at the entrance of the forest to reach the wooded area, were captured by in-vehicle cameras.