11.07.2026 15:20
The video taken by AK Party-affiliated Gaziantep Şehitkamil Mayor Umut Yılmaz during a fire without taking safety precautions was labeled a "show" on social media; this incident brought to mind President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's warning about "social media" and "state seriousness" to public officials.
A fire that broke out in a 5-story business center in Gaziantep's Şehitkamil district was discussed not so much for the flames as for the attitudes of Mayor Umut Yılmaz at the scene. During the fire intervention by fire and police teams, Yılmaz entered the building and walked around the risky area accompanied by cameras, drawing public criticism.
YILMAZ: WE MOBILIZED IN THE FIELD WITH ALL OUR RESOURCES
Yılmaz, who shared those moments as a video clip on his social media account, included the following statements in his post:
"After a fire broke out in a business center, we quickly arrived at the scene with our Municipal Police Directorate teams and irrigation vehicles, intervened in the fire in coordination with our security forces and fire teams, and ensured area security. Our municipality has been mobilized in the field from the moment of the incident with all its resources. Our greatest consolation is that, thankfully, no loss of life occurred. I extend my well-wishes to all our fellow citizens affected by the fire."
BACKLASH ON SOCIAL MEDIA: STOP THE SHOW
Mayor Yılmaz's post received intense criticism rather than praise from social media users. An official walking around the fire scene with a camera while disregarding safety rules was described as a "show."
The most notable comments under the post were as follows:
"How can you enter the building where the fire is without taking any personal protective measures? Follow occupational safety rules so that people who see you follow them too. Stop the show, please!!!"
"This Umut Yılmaz seems not like the Mayor of Gaziantep Şehitkamil but rather a TikTok influencer. In the fire at Gaziantep Halıcılar Palace, he literally chased a show, had video recorded, and shared it like a social media influencer. Don't pretend to work, do the work."
PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN'S WARNING CAME TO MIND
Mayor Yılmaz having these moments recorded by a special team and sharing them on social media almost like a clip brought to mind President Erdoğan's recent social media warning to public administrators.
Erdoğan, criticizing the attitudes of state officials on digital platforms, had said, "We sometimes witness that the limits are exceeded on these platforms for reasons such as getting likes, increasing engagement, or making headlines." Erdoğan's emphasis that public officials should adopt a "communication style befitting the seriousness of the state" was reminded again by social media users in light of the camera-focused crisis in Şehitkamil.