12.08.2026 10:51
Nur Asim, who lost two children and her religious-marriage spouse in a jet ski accident in Bodrum, is struggling to bring their bodies from Greece to Turkey. Claiming that a fee of between 3,000 and 5,000 euros per person is demanded, Asim is trying to make her voice heard.
In the jet ski accident that occurred in Bodrum on July 14, Iraqi national Nur Asim's religiously married wife, 26-year-old Fehet Muhammed Mahmut, and their children, 8-year-old Melek and 4-year-old Meral, lost their lives. Asim, who survived the accident, initiated a legal struggle to bring his children's bodies, which are in Greece, to Turkey. Asim claimed that Greece demanded between 3,000 and 5,000 euros per person for the delivery of the bodies and asked authorities for help.
"THE JET SKI CAPSIZED, WE WERE DRAGGED OUT TO SEA"
Describing how the accident happened, Nur said, "We decided to go on holiday to Bodrum on July 14. The jet ski capsized, and after that we were dragged quite far out to sea. There were waves 3 meters high. Melek was on my lap, and Meral was on her father's lap at that time."
Asim stated that after his daughter Meral fell into the sea, he struggled with the waves, and his religiously married wife moved to save her, but was swept away by the waves and dragged out to sea, and his wife followed her and disappeared in the sea.
"SHE DIED IN MY ARMS"
Mother Asim, stating that her daughter Melek remained in her lap for a long time while she held onto the jet ski, said, "We capsized at 5:00 PM. Melek held on until 2:00 AM. I carried Melek until my arms became wounded, but because of the heavy waves and swallowing water, Melek also passed away in my arms. When Melek died, I let myself go. They found me around 6:00 AM. After first aid, I survived; they rescued me. They handed me over to the coast guard. The coast guard took me. They put me in custody. Because I was the only one who survived, it was considered a suspicious death. Melek was found in Greece the same day. Meral and her father were found 4 days later."
"MELEK WAS GOING TO START SCHOOL THIS MONTH"
Asim, who said that after the accident their children were found in Greece and she started a legal fight to bring the bodies to Turkey, stated, "The court is telling me, 'You can only get the bodies after 6 months.' I don't think any body will remain after 6 months. When my other daughter and her father were found, because they were in the water for 4 days, they were found with organs visible. Normally, Melek was going to start school this month. We had made her school preparations and such, but unfortunately she couldn't go. I had a home in Eskisehir; we were living in a rental. I couldn't enter that house again. I'm staying at a friend's house. For about a month, there has been no news, no photos, no identification made."
THEY ARE OFFICIALLY DEMANDING TRIBUTE FOR THE BODIES
Nur Asim, who claimed that Greece demanded money for the return of the bodies, said, "They say 3,000 to 5,000 euros per person. I applied to the Turkish authorities. A DNA test will be taken tomorrow on this matter. It's been a month, and the test will only be taken tomorrow. I want to see them one last time. We haven't even been able to mourn yet. We are constantly dealing with courts."
Nur, stating that the process she experienced has been physically and psychologically challenging, said that after days of court proceedings and official procedures, she is not in a condition to work or go out, and she is psychologically struggling when she sees children.
"LET THEM HAVE GRAVES SIDE BY SIDE"
Nur, stating that she wants to bring her children's bodies to Turkey and bury them side by side, said:
"I am truly helpless. At least let me make a grave for my children. Okay, I have lost hope regarding my husband; they won't give him. At least let me take my children, I want them to have graves side by side. Because I truly never separated them until now. I became a mother at 16. No one knew how I managed to raise my child to this age."