13.07.2026 16:20
In the Tosya district of Kastamonu, Ahmet and Rahime Derin, a couple who fell ill after eating cherries they collected from a tree that had been sprayed, died nine days apart. Villagers, noting that others who ate the same cherries had no issues, believe the deaths are not due to the cherries. Samples have been taken from the incident, and the exact cause of death will be clarified by a forensic medicine report.
After eating cherries picked from a sprayed tree in the Tosya district of Kastamonu, a man lost his life and his wife died 9 days later. Villagers stated that many people ate the same cherries and they believe the incident was not caused by the cherries.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, July 1, in the village of Karabey in the Tosya district. According to information obtained, 63-year-old Ahmet Derin and his wife Rahime Derin fell ill shortly after eating cherries they picked from trees in a relative's garden. Upon notification from relatives, health teams arrived at the village and took the couple to Tosya State Hospital. After initial treatment, they were transferred to Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital. Despite all medical interventions, Ahmet Derin died on July 3. Rahime Derin, who was continuing treatment at the hospital, died the previous day. The couple's bodies were buried in the village cemetery nine days apart.
SAMPLES TAKEN FROM CHERRIES
It was learned that the tree from which the couple ate cherries had been sprayed with pesticide approximately 15 days before the incident. Following the incident, teams from the District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry took samples from the cherry trees, and it was stated that the exact cause of the couple's death would be determined by a report prepared by the Forensic Medicine Institute.
OTHER CITIZENS ALSO ATE THOSE CHERRIES
Villagers stated that a long time had passed since the cherries allegedly causing the incident were sprayed, and the pesticide's effect wore off within three days. To demonstrate that the cherries in the field were not poisonous, some villagers ate them and noted that others who ate the same cherries on the day of the incident suffered no ill effects.
"WE DO NOT BELIEVE IT WAS THE CHERRIES"
Speaking after the incident, the field owner's son, Zeyit Serpen, stated that the deceased couple were his uncle and aunt. He said, "We went to the place selling agricultural pesticides to get information. The information we received was that there is no effect three days after spraying and the cherries can be eaten. After it rains, my father sprays again; at that time, Uncle Ahmet wanted to eat, but my father didn't allow it. They started eating about 20 days later. After Uncle Ahmet passed away, I and my guests also ate. Nothing happened to anyone. Also, it is said that my uncle and aunt put the cherry stems in boiling water and drank it after it changed color. We don't know how true that is. But the real result will be determined by forensics. We do not believe it was caused by the cherries," he said.
"I WOULDN'T LET MY OWN CHILD EAT THEM"
Zeyit Serpen, stating that his grandmother, who ate the cherries on the same day, had no issues, said, "It is said that no pesticide remains in the cherries. It is stated they can be consumed three days after spraying. My father gave the images of the cherries to the crime scene investigation teams. They are investigating. We are waiting for the results. Samples were also taken from the District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. But we constantly consume these cherries. If they were poisonous, I wouldn't let my own child or nephew eat them; my mother and father also constantly consume them. My grandmother says she ate them without washing them on the same day. It didn't affect my 84-year-old grandmother at all; how it affected my uncle and aunt is a mystery," he said.
"NO PROBLEM WITH OTHERS WHO ATE CHERRIES"
Rasim Erikçi, who also ate cherries, said, "The field owner is our neighbor. After he sprayed, 15 days later he offered cherries to Uncle Ahmet. Both Uncle Ahmet, his father-in-law, and mother-in-law ate the same cherries. Guests who came the day before the incident had picked them. There is no problem with others who ate the cherries. It is clear to us that the incident was not caused by the cherries. My neighbor Mahmut Selber is very meticulous; he wouldn't let anyone eat something harmful, nor would he eat it himself. We ate cherries to show they are safe. The field owner is more upset than the bereaved family," he said.
FORENSIC RESULTS PENDING
Karabey village headman Adem Yazıcı, stating that the cause of the incident is not yet known, said, "A sad incident occurred in our village. Ahmet Bey passed away 10 days ago. His wife remained in intensive care for 10 days. There was suspicion of poisoning, but we don't yet know what the cause is. The forensic report has not been released. We heard that in his hospital statement, he said he only ate cherries after the meal, and the stems were boiled and drunk as a remedy. But it would be wrong to say anything before the forensic report is out. It's a tragic event. I offer my condolences to the relatives and our village residents. I hope such an incident never happens again," he said.