14.11.2026 14:30
The food sent to the condolence house in the Payas district of Hatay for Non-Commissioned Officer Hüseyin Zehir, who was martyred in the military helicopter crash in Malatya, drew a strong reaction. After the incident brought to the agenda by Haberler.com, Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mehmet Öntürk, to whom attention turned, said, "I apologize to our family and fellow citizens for the disruption."
37-year-old Non-Commissioned Officer Hüseyin Zehir, who was martyred in the military helicopter crash that occurred in Malatya, was laid to rest in his hometown of Payas district in Hatay. After the funeral procedures were completed, a meal was served at the martyr's home. The footage of the meal sent by the Hatay Metropolitan Municipality drew a strong reaction. After Haberler.com brought the incident to the agenda, many citizens reacted to the municipality and demanded a statement.
MAYOR ÖNTÜRK BROKE HIS SILENCE
Following the reactions, a statement came from Hatay Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mehmet Öntürk. Apologizing to the martyr's family and citizens, Öntürk took responsibility for the disruption experienced. Öntürk used the following statements in his announcement: "I apologize to our family and fellow citizens for the disruption at the condolence for our city's son, our martyr Non-Commissioned Officer Hüseyin Zehir. There was a shortcoming in the meal sent to our martyr's home. There is no excuse for this. Setting a worthy table for our martyr's guests is our duty. If we could not do this, the responsibility is ours."
"I HAVE INITIATED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT"
Öntürk, who stated that he had spoken with the martyr's family, announced that during the condolence, food and other refreshments would be provided completely by the municipality. Öntürk completed his statement with these words: "I spoke with our family. During the condolence, refreshments will be provided completely by our municipality. I have initiated an investigation into the incident. I ask God to have mercy on our martyr and grant patience to his family. May our nation be consoled."
Here is that statement by Öntürk;