New development in the İzmir electrocution tragedy

The investigation conducted by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the deaths of Özge Ceren Deniz and İnanç Öktemay, who lost their lives after stepping into a puddle and being electrocuted during a downpour in İzmir's Konak district on July 12, has continued.

The testimony of B.K., the Head of the İZSU Sewerage Department, who is among the 14 suspects detained and arrested as part of this investigation, has been obtained. In his statement, B.K. noted that his area of responsibility covers the entirety of İzmir and that their duties involve the collection and transport of wastewater and rainwater. He further stated that he manages administrative tasks, oversees a construction inspection team, and visits sites based on issues reported to him from the field.

IT HAS BEEN REVEALED THAT THE OBSERVER WAS ON LEAVE

Stating that he inspected the grates where the accident occurred after the incident, B.K. made the following remarks:

"Our observer was on leave during the construction of the grates. There was no observer at the scene. We did not damage the cables in any way while working there. However, due to being on leave on that date, there was no observer at the scene. Teams only contact other institutions when they damage their materials. We do not keep any reports when other lines are not damaged or when there is no negative situation. However, when damage occurs, the contractor firm keeps a record. The contractor firm is responsible for these damages. If there had been damage, the contractor firm would have been responsible for calling the observers of other institutions. I know that they called İzmirgaz and Gdz Elektrik to say 'you can come as observers' while working at the scene. İzmirgaz came to the scene, but no observer came from Gdz Elektrik."

Explaining that they have two types of work methods, planned and unplanned, B.K. stated that other institutions are informed during planned works, but since the work at the location where the accident occurred was unplanned, they only informed the institutions verbally.

Denying the accusations against him, B.K. testified, "When we went to the scene on the day the incident occurred, citizens said there were complaints about Gdz, that there was smoke between the asphalt and the sidewalk, and that they had reported this. Even if we had not built the grate there, the accident would still have occurred. I request to be released to be tried without arrest."

WE DID NOT DAMAGE ANY CABLES

Suspect A.K. stated that he works as a civil engineer and has been receiving projects from İZSU since 2007. He said that within the scope of the work, they carried out the manufacturing of the grate and the grate arm at the specified address.

A.K. stated that they completed their work in accordance with technical specifications and that they reported that asphalt paving should be done using filling material after completion.

Stating that their work consisted of maintenance and repair, A.K. said, "We completed the operations at the scene without damaging any cables. The photos also show that we did not damage the cables. There were 3 repairs made to the cable at the scene. After we finish our work, the asphalt team comes and does the paving, and the work is thus completed. After the paving was done, I saw that there was no asphalt covering where the cable was located. In other words, another operation was carried out after us. I do not accept the accusation."

News Source: 12punto