05.03.2025 21:40
The search efforts for landscape architect Ece Gürel, who went missing in Istanbul, continue on the third day in Belgrad Forest. Haluk Özener, the Director of AFAD Istanbul, stated regarding the efforts, "We will cover the entire area of 54.4 square kilometers. However, unfortunately, no progress has been made so far."
The search efforts for 36-year-old Gürel, who left her home in the Gültepe neighborhood of Kağıthane on Sunday, March 2, saying she would go to Belgrad Forest, continue uninterrupted after her relatives reported her missing.
HER SWEATER WAS FOUND Police, AFAD, UMKE, AKUT, PAK, and some district municipalities, along with volunteer search and rescue teams, are participating in the intensified search efforts in Belgrad Forest, where Gürel was last seen. A Belgian Malinois tracking dog named "Üzüm" is also accompanying the efforts. A sweater was spotted 14 kilometers away from the area where Gürel's mobile phone and some personal belongings were found. It was determined that the sweater belonged to Ece Gürel. Gürel's relatives are also following the search efforts in the area.
INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE On the third day of the search, underwater teams from the police and fire department are diving in the ponds found in the forest to conduct search operations. Investigations are also ongoing along the route Gürel took from her home to Belgrad Forest.
A total of 172 personnel from the Istanbul Police Department, including Public Order, Marine Port, Special Operations, Riot Police, and Sarıyer District Police units, along with 2 cadaver dogs, as well as AFAD, gendarmerie, relevant state institutions, and non-governmental organizations are participating in the coordinated search and rescue efforts. It has been reported that a total of 291 personnel and 8 cadaver-tracking dogs are involved in the operation.
AFAD'S STATEMENT: UNFORTUNATELY, NO DEVELOPMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE SO FAR Haluk Özener, the Director of Istanbul Disaster and Emergency Management (AFAD), made statements to the press in the area where the search efforts are being conducted. Özener noted that the search and rescue activities are continuing without slowing down, stating, "The total area we are currently in is 54.4 square kilometers. 34.4 square kilometers of this area has already been scanned. We will reach the entire 54.4 square kilometers. This may take us another 1-2 days, but unfortunately, no developments have been made so far."
Haluk Özener, Director of Istanbul Disaster and Emergency Management (AFAD) "THE DISTANCE IS APPROXIMATELY 800 METERS AS THE CROW FLIES" Özener explained that the search efforts started from the location where Gürel went missing and continued in areas where her personal belongings were found. He stated that they would not conclude these efforts, saying, "We have completed the third day, and we are still continuing. Our work is ongoing." In response to a question, Özener noted that the distance between the place where the missing Gürel took photos and where her belongings were found could be approximately 800 meters as the crow flies.
WHAT HAPPENED? After Ece Gürel (36) left her home in the Gültepe neighborhood of Kağıthane on Sunday, March 2, saying she would go to Belgrad Forest, a search was initiated with the participation of police, AFAD, UMKE, AKUT, and numerous search and rescue teams from district municipalities after her relatives reported her missing. Divers from the Istanbul Fire Department's Underwater Search and Rescue (İSAK) also conducted dives at the Valide Sultan Dam.
The mobile phone and some personal belongings identified as belonging to Gürel were found during the search efforts in Belgrad Forest, and footage of the moments she left her home and the moments she got off the IETT bus to go to the forest was captured by in-vehicle cameras.