Detergent mixed into Turkish coffee: Testimonies revealed in scandalous incident

Statements from the business owner and employees have emerged in the case of 26-year-old engineer Ayben Özçilingir Turtura, who was intubated and taken to intensive care due to suspected caustic substance poisoning after drinking Turkish coffee at a cafe in Beyoğlu. It was reported that Turtura suffered burns to her throat, esophagus, stomach, and lungs. It was determined that the coffee was prepared using a bottle found in the kitchen that was intended for water but contained dishwashing detergent.

It was reported that the incident occurred on Monday, November 17, around 13:00 in the Ömer Avni neighborhood. According to the information obtained, Ayben Özçilingir Turtura ordered a Turkish coffee at the cafe she visited with a friend. It was stated that Turtura suddenly fell ill as soon as she took the first sip of the coffee, headed to the restroom, and was taken to the hospital after experiencing symptoms of difficulty breathing and numbness in her tongue shortly thereafter.

It was stated that Turtura, who was transferred to another hospital on suspicion of caustic substance poisoning following initial intervention, was intubated in intensive care.

NOTABLE FINDING: SUSPICION OF DETERGENT IN COFFEE

In the investigations conducted by the Beyoğlu Public Security Bureau, it was determined that Engin Ö., the father of the individuals responsible for the business, had placed industrial dishwashing detergent into bottles used in the kitchen, and that the employee who made the coffee, Münire A., had used this detergent-filled bottle thinking it was water.

It was noted that the business owner Gülsüm Sude Ö. (26) and employee Sıla Nur Ö. (28) were present at the cafe during the incident, and that Münire A., who prepared the coffee, and Sıla Nur Ö., who was at the business at the time of the incident, were referred to judicial authorities as suspects.

CAFE SEALED, SUSPECTS PLACED UNDER HOUSE ARREST

As part of the investigation, the statements of business owner Gülsüm Sude Ö. and her father Engin Ö. were taken. It was decided to apply judicial control measures in the form of a "travel ban" and "house arrest" for Münire A. and Sıla Nur Ö., who were referred to the courthouse. The cafe was sealed by the Beyoğlu Municipality police teams.

“THERE WERE NO LABELS ON THE BOTTLES”

Münire A., who prepared the coffee, provided a detailed account of the day of the incident in her statement. Stating that she went to the workplace on November 17 due to an event held at the cafe, that Sıla Nur Ö. was working alone, and that it was busy, Münire A. said she put the coffee from the machine in the kitchen into cups and then served them by filling glasses with water from a bottle on the counter.

Münire A. stated that she was later asked to make another coffee, filled the coffee machine with water from the same bottle again, and served the prepared coffee with a cup. Explaining that Turtura fell ill after drinking the coffee, Münire A. stated that they thought there might be an allergen in the coffee and that the customer was taken to the hospital when the situation worsened.

Münire A. said, “There were no signs on the bottles. The color of the liquid inside was the same as water. It was impossible to distinguish. I was very surprised when Sıla Nur told me that the liquid in the bottle was detergent. After this incident, I wrote ‘detergent’ on the bottles. I did not make a mistake on purpose.”

“IT FELT LIKE MY WORLD WAS COLLAPSING”

Business employee Sıla Nur Ö. also said in her statement that Münire A. came to the workplace to help, and that she assigned her the task of serving coffee during the customer rush.

Sıla Nur Ö. stated that she had indicated that water should be filled from the purification device, but that she did not know Münire A. used the bottle on the counter. She reported that they tried to call an ambulance after Turtura fell ill, but that her friends preferred to take her to the hospital in their own vehicles.

Sıla Nur Ö. said, “When Münire told me ‘I made it with this water,’ I was in great shock because I knew there was detergent in the bottles. These bottles were glass bottles constantly used for detergent. There were no signs on them. Their colors were indistinguishable from water. I am very sorry for what happened.”