15.04.2026 21:59
President Erdoğan issued a condolence message regarding the school attack in Kahramanmaraş. Erdoğan said, 'I pray to Almighty Allah for mercy upon our lost lives; I extend my condolences to the grieving families and our education community. The incident will certainly be clarified in all its dimensions. It is a moral duty as much as a conscientious one not to turn such an attack into material for political polemics and rating concerns. There is no politics of pain.'
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a statement regarding the armed attack organized by 14-year-old İsa Aras Mersinli at a middle school in Kahramanmaraş's Onikişubat district, which resulted in 9 deaths and 13 injuries. Extending his condolences, Erdoğan emphasized that the incident would be clarified.
ERDOĞAN'S FIRST STATEMENT President Erdoğan said the following: "I convey my get-well wishes to all our citizens, all our families, and especially our dear children affected by the armed attack that took place in Kahramanmaraş, which deeply saddened all of Turkey.
"THE INCIDENT WILL DEFINITELY BE CLARIFIED" In this tragic attack, we unfortunately lost our bright children and a devoted educator. I pray to Almighty Allah for mercy for the lives we lost; I wish patience to the grieving families and condolences to our education community. Our Republic prosecutors, administrative and education inspectors are meticulously conducting the investigations launched immediately. The incident will definitely be clarified in all its dimensions.
"THERE IS NO POLITICS OF PAIN" Our Ministers of National Education, Family and Social Policies, Interior, Justice, and Health have moved to Kahramanmaraş to attend to our wounded and brothers affected by the incident, share the pain, and personally oversee the process. It is a moral duty as much as a conscientious one that such an attack, which has dropped a burning ember into all our hearts as a nation, should not be made a material for political polemics and rating concerns. There is no politics of pain.
"SHARES CONTAINING DISINFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON" Due to the sensitivity of the incident, I request the necessary care from all segments of society, especially our press members.
In this process, I plead with our nation not to rely on false and incorrect news, shares containing disinformation, and to take into account the statements of our relevant public institutions. I say get well again to our children, our families, and our teachers."
WARNING TO MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE On the other hand, in a written statement from the Communications Directorate, it was stated that developments regarding school attacks that have occurred in recent days are being followed with sensitivity by the public.
In the statement, which emphasized that managing the process with common sense, protecting public peace, and especially safeguarding the psychological safety of children are of great importance, the following assessments were included: "In this framework, our media organizations must act with maximum responsibility awareness in their broadcasting policies. Detailed depiction of violent acts, highlighting the identities of victims and perpetrators, keeping events on the agenda continuously by dramatizing them can create an encouraging effect for similar actions as well as deepen the climate of fear and panic in society. Therefore, moderation, sensitivity, and ethical principles should be based on broadcasts. Our public institutions, primarily the Ministries of Justice, Interior, National Education, and Health, continue their work in coordination with all relevant units. While our security units increase necessary security measures in the field, guidance and psychosocial support processes are meticulously carried out in our educational institutions. Transparency, accuracy, and timely information are based on our institutions' communication processes, ensuring public access to correct information."
RTÜK: THE HEAVIEST SANCTIONS WILL BE APPLIED URGENTLY AND DETERMINEDLY Additionally, in a statement from RTÜK, it was announced that no concessions would be made against irresponsible broadcasting that disturbs public peace and negatively affects children's mental health regarding the attack, and that the heaviest sanctions would be applied determinedly against institutions that do not comply with the bans.