02.02.2026 18:06
In the case regarding the death of 9-year-old Ebrar Aktaş, who was trapped under a chair that fell from a freight elevator in the Menderes district of Izmir, the expert report concluded that her mother, Songül Lök, was technically partially at fault. Speaking in court, mother Lök reacted by saying, "I am living in hell. My daughter is gone, there is no compensation. Am I supposed to tell my daughter, 'Go die under the elevator'? I am very overwhelmed."
On September 20, 2025, during the relocation of a house belonging to H.Y. in the Cüneytbey neighborhood of Menderes district in İzmir, a sofa from the freight elevator fell on Ebrar Aktaş, who was in the garden of the apartment. Aktaş, who is the niece of H.Y., was seriously injured. A health team was dispatched to the scene upon notification. After the first intervention, Ebrar Aktaş was taken to Menderes State Hospital, where she lost her life. Aktaş's funeral was held at Gaziemir Central Mosque and she was buried at Doğançay Cemetery.
2 PEOPLE ARRESTED, 1 PERSON RELEASED
As part of the investigation initiated after the incident, A.H.M., a Syrian national and employee of the company, along with the officials of the transportation company, Efecan Güngör and Mustafa Güngör, were taken into custody. After their procedures at the police station, the Güngör brothers were arrested while A.H.M. was released.
INDICTMENT PREPARED
After the investigation, an indictment was prepared. It was stated in the indictment that the suspects reported that a wind of such intensity that could be called a 'storm' began when they placed the three-seater sofa, causing the sofa to lose its balance and fall from the basket. It was emphasized that Mustafa Güngör and Efecan Güngör were the main factors in the occurrence of the accident. It was noted that A.H.M.'s careless and reckless behavior contributed to the accident, while Ebrar had no fault. Although the suspects foresaw that such an incident could occur, it was highlighted that they did not want this outcome; however, it was emphasized that they caused Ebrar's death on the platform, and for this reason, a lawsuit was filed against the defendants for 'causing death by conscious negligence' with a request for imprisonment of 2 to 9 years.
DEFENDANTS IN COURT FOR THE 2ND TIME
The trial of the suspects continued today at the Menderes 4th Criminal Court of First Instance. The arrested defendants Efecan Güngör and Mustafa Güngör attended the hearing via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS), while A.H.M., who was not in custody and had an arrest warrant issued against him, was not present at the hearing. Ebrar's mother, Songül Lök, along with members of the Saadet Teacher Child Abuse Prevention Association (UCİM) and the lawyers of the parties, were also present in the courtroom.
EXPERT REPORT ENTERED THE FILE, MOTHER FOUND PARTIALLY AT FAULT
During the hearing, the judge stated that the expert report had been submitted to the file and read it. The report determined that Mustafa Güngör was partially at fault from a technical perspective, while Efecan Güngör was found to be primarily at fault. It was also stated in the report that since Ebrar was under the supervision of her mother, Songül Lök, she was also partially at fault, and Ebrar had no fault. After the reading of the report, Efecan Güngör, one of the detained defendants, stated, "If the elevator had been unbalanced, we wouldn't have been able to lower the other sofas either. The ground we set up was stable. There was no installation or balance problem." The other detained defendant, Mustafa Güngör, said, "There was no technical problem in the elevator. There were no issues when we lowered two items. If there had been, it would have happened with those as well."
"IT NEVER CROSSED OUR MINDS"
Songül Lök, who lost her daughter in the incident and was also mentioned as partially at fault in the expert report, expressed her feelings: "The day before the incident, I went to help my brother, and we packed all the belongings. When the movers came on the day of the incident and asked us for breakfast, we took out items from the boxes for breakfast. After breakfast, while we were repacking the items, my daughter went outside without my knowledge. We never even thought that something like this could happen. No mother wants this to happen to her child."
THE DETENTION STATUS WILL CONTINUE
After the statements, the prosecution presented its opinion on the continuation of the defendants' detention. The detained defendants requested release in relation to the opinion. After the opinion was presented again, Songül Lök could not hold back her tears. Lök said, "Everyone should put themselves in my place. I have no one but my daughter. I worked hard to try to educate my daughter. My daughter was 9 years old. I am living in hell. My daughter is gone, and there is no remedy. Am I supposed to tell my daughter, 'Go die under the elevator'? I am very overwhelmed," she said.
After the defenses and statements, an interim decision was announced. The judge, who decided to continue the detention of the defendants, adjourned the hearing to February 27.