09.08.2026 17:10
Former footballer and classified referee Hakan Ergin (34) drowned and lost his life while entering the sea at Zonguldak's Uzunkum Beach during the period when the governorship had banned sea entry.
Despite Zonguldak Governorate's ban on swimming due to adverse weather and sea conditions, 34-year-old former footballer and classified referee Hakan Ergin drowned while swimming at Uzunkum beach.
YOUNG REFEREE IGNORED THE BAN AND WENT INTO THE SEA
According to reports, the incident occurred at noon on Kapuz Street, Uzunkum beach. Hakan Ergin, 34, a former footballer and classified referee who worked as the Blood Donation Acquisition Coordinator at the Red Crescent Blood Center, entered the sea to cool off. However, he disappeared among the violent waves. Upon reports from bystanders, coast guard, health, police, and AFAD teams were dispatched to the scene.
COULD NOT BE SAVED DESPITE ALL EFFORTS
Teams searching with a coast guard boat found Ergin offshore. After being brought onboard and given first aid, Ergin could not be saved despite all efforts by doctors at Ataturk State Hospital, where he was taken. His relatives, who arrived at the hospital, suffered a nervous breakdown upon hearing the sad news. Meanwhile, police ensured the evacuation of citizens not only from Uzunkum beach, where the incident occurred, but also from other beaches.