14.06.2026 01:20
Two young imams who entered a pond to cool off in the hot weather in the Arhavi district of Artvin drowned and lost their lives. Mustafa Gedikli, imam of Arhavi Merkez Mosque, and Rüstem Özdemir, imam of Güneşli Village Mosque, were found motionless and pulled from the water, but despite all interventions by doctors at the hospital where they were taken, they could not be saved. An investigation has been launched into the double death that plunged the district into mourning.
Two young religious officials drowned while entering a pond to cool off from the hot weather in Arhavi district of Artvin. The two imams, found motionless in the water and taken to the hospital, could not be saved despite all medical interventions.
THEY DIED WHILE COOLING OFF: NOTICED BY CITIZENS
The incident occurred in Ulaş village of Arhavi district. According to the information obtained, Arhavi Central Mosque Imam Mustafa Gedikli (36) and his colleague Rüstem Özdemir (26), who served at Güneşli Village Mosque, entered the village pond to cool off due to the oppressive heat. Citizens who saw the two religious officials floating motionless on the water after a while reported the situation to the 112 Emergency Call Center in a panic.
RACE AGAINST TIME AT THE HOSPITAL: THEY COULD NOT BE SAVED
Following the report, numerous medical, fire, and gendarmerie teams were dispatched to the scene. Teams quickly entered the water and brought the motionless Mustafa Gedikli and Rüstem Özdemir to shore. First aid was administered by emergency medical personnel at the scene, where their hearts were found to have stopped. The two religious officials were rushed to Arhavi State Hospital by ambulance but could not be revived and died despite the intense efforts and all resuscitation attempts by doctors in the emergency room.
CAUSE OF DEATH TO BE CLARIFIED BY AUTOPSY
The consecutive death news of the young religious officials plunged their families, the mosque congregations they served, and the entire district into mourning. Following the tragic incident, gendarmerie teams launched a comprehensive investigation in the area. The exact cause of death of the imams will be clarified after forensic autopsy and prosecutor's investigation.