06.07.2025 10:51
Due to strong winds on Lake Sapanca, a life-threatening situation occurred. Teams from the Gendarmerie Public Order Boat Command rescued 17 people from drowning within two hours, responding to consecutive alerts. It was observed that those who faced the risk of drowning were not wearing life jackets, did not take the lake conditions into account, and set out on the water with more people than the capacity of their vessels.
The teams of the Serdiven Gendarmerie Public Order Boat Command, which were on patrol in Sapanca Lake, took action in the evening hours upon receiving consecutive notifications and saved a total of 17 lives.
THE KAYAKS STARTED TO TAKE ON WATER
The first incident occurred around 18:45. Three people whose inflatable kayaks started to take on water were stranded on a buoy belonging to SASKİ. Upon notification, the gendarmerie boat went to help, approached the buoy, and safely brought the three individuals to shore.
9 PEOPLE DRIFTED AWAY WITH THE WIND
At 19:45, nine people on a jet ski with two buoys attached behind them were swept away by the wind in the open lake. Three individuals from the group, who were at risk of capsizing, were taken directly onto the boat, while the others were directed to a safe area. The jet ski and buoys were pulled to the lakeshore by the gendarmerie teams.
4 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 1 CHILD, RESCUED FROM A SUP BOARD
In the same minutes, teams responding to another notification rescued four people, including one child, who were struggling to stay afloat on a SUP (Stand Up Paddle) board.
ANOTHER WATER SPORTS ENTHUSIAST STRANDED ALONE WAS RESCUED
At around 20:10, another individual who was stranded alone in the open lake was brought to shore by the gendarmerie boat.
17 PEOPLE WERE SAVED FROM DROWNING
Officials announced that 17 individuals who were in life-threatening situations in the lake were safely rescued in approximately 2 hours and warned citizens after the incidents.
COMMON MISTAKES MADE
In a statement made by the gendarmerie, it was noted that the common mistakes of citizens in the incidents intervened were identified as follows: "Not checking the weather and wind conditions, thinking that the open waters of the lake are as calm as the shores, not using life jackets and lifebuoys, acting recklessly by assuming they are good swimmers, not knowing the capacity of the vehicles they use, going out to the water with more people than the capacity, taking risks with the thought of 'someone will save me anyway', and not having communication devices or GPS."
The statement emphasized that citizens should use such equipment and perform necessary checks before going out onto the lake to prevent similar situations from occurring.