18.11.2025 13:03
In the case regarding the elevator accident that occurred on October 1st in the Tarsus district of Mersin, which resulted in the death of Pelin Kıyga, a mother of one, one of the four detained defendants, the former manager of the elevator company, was released under judicial control.
The first trial regarding the elevator accident in which Pelin Kıyga, a mother of one, lost her life in the Tarsus district of Mersin was held.
THE ELEVATOR CRASHED TO THE GROUND, PELIN LOST HER LIFE
On the morning of October 1, after Pelin Kıyga left her home to go to work, the elevator she took on the 7th floor of the apartment in Altaylılar Neighborhood malfunctioned on the 2nd floor. Her husband, Gökhan Kıyga (34), who she called for help, went down the stairs to the 2nd floor. At that moment, the cabin where Pelin Kıyga was located crashed to the ground. Health and fire teams were dispatched to the address upon notification. Pelin Kıyga, who was rescued from the cabin with injuries, was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The moments when Gökhan Kıyga tried to save his wife were captured by security cameras. Despite the intervention of doctors, Kıyga could not be saved. Pelin Kıyga, a mother of one, was buried in Tarsus South Cemetery after the autopsy.
MALFUNCTIONS DISCUSSED IN WHATSAPP GROUP
As part of the investigation into the elevator accident, former elevator company manager Sadık Sökmen, new elevator company manager Mahmut Köse, employee Murat Abalı, and site manager Fatih Murat Ceylan were detained, and the statements of 17 people were taken. It was claimed that shortly before the accident, residents of the site raised concerns in the apartment's WhatsApp group about malfunctions in the elevator that had been ongoing for more than a month, and due to the continuation of the problems, the management made a maintenance contract with a new company. The suspects, whose procedures were completed at the police station, were arrested at the courthouse they were referred to on charges of 'causing death by negligence.'
EXPERT REPORT PREPARED
Following the accident, a 10-page report was completed by an expert committee, including a Class A occupational safety expert and academician in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering, as well as a civil engineer, detailing the inspections conducted in the building. The expert report added to the investigation file included findings related to the incident, inspection records, photographs of the cabin of the elevator where the accident occurred, the Elevator Operation and Maintenance Regulation, and information regarding the responsibilities of the building manager.
'LIGHT FAULT' LABEL ATTACHED
The report indicated that labels were present stating that the maintenance and repairs of the elevator were carried out by the 'G. Elevator' company, and it was noted that a control was conducted by the Chamber of Mechanical Engineers after the periodic maintenance on March 27. It was stated that there was no hindrance to the use of the elevator after the inspection, and that the identified irregularities needed to be resolved by the next periodic control date of March 27, 2026, with a correction period of 12 months, and it was noted that a 'Blue label' (indicating that it poses a light fault risk for your safety) was affixed.
"CONCRETE WEIGHTS FELL ON THE ELEVATOR"
The report stated that during the inspection of the elevator system where the accident occurred, the cables carrying the cabin and counterweight were found to be intact. However, it was noted that during the inspection of the shaft system of the elevator where the accident occurred, the metal frame carrying the elevator's counterweight was damaged and split into two due to a physical impact. The report indicated that a part of the metal frame carrying the counterweight fell onto the shaft floor, while the other half fell onto the elevator cabin with concrete weights.
ERROR REPORTED BEFORE GETTING ON THE ELEVATOR
The report stated that Pelin Kıyga entered the elevator at 07:20 on the day of the accident, and the elevator error code records were also included. According to the records, the elevator issued a warning at 07:14 with the error code 'Er59' stating 'The cabin is moving in the opposite direction.' The report indicated that the elevator cabin fell to the minus 1st floor at 07:28, and after the accident, the elevator sent 5 separate error codes to the control unit at intervals of 11 minutes.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED
The report included scientific evaluations regarding the manner in which the accident occurred, stating, "Pelin was trapped in the elevator due to a malfunction around 07:20 on the day of the incident, and at 07:28, the incident occurred when the elevator fell to the minus 1st floor. The mechanical brake system was activated due to the elevator's malfunction, which should have immobilized the elevator. However, the switch (electric brake) that should have simultaneously activated to disable the electric motor failed to function, causing the motor that was trying to pull the counterweight upwards to continue operating. This forced the counterweight to be pulled upwards, causing the rope and pulley to slip, and the raised counterweight frame-chassis hit the ceiling. This process continued until the counterweight frame was damaged, causing the metal frame-chassis to be damaged, and with the integrity of the frame-chassis disrupted, the counterweights fell from a height onto the elevator cabin, damaging the cabin and the systems connected to it, resulting in Pelin, who was inside the cabin, being injured and ultimately losing her life in the hospital. It has been concluded that although there was no intent to cause the accident, it was of a nature that could have been prevented with appropriate measures," was stated.
PELİN HAS NO FAULT
The report stated that Pelin Kıyga, who lost her life in the incident, had no fault, and it was determined that "the responsible party of the 'G. Elevator' company, which was responsible for the periodic maintenance and repair to ensure the elevator operated safely, failed to take preventive measures, repairs, and maintenance to prevent the electric brake system of the elevator from becoming inoperative, thus being at fault. It was also determined that the A. Management company, responsible for the building management, failed to effectively supervise the company/companies responsible for the maintenance and repair of the elevator to ensure that it provided safe service for the residents of the building, and did not take the necessary measures to promptly address the irregularities reported by the residents in the elevator, thus failing to fulfill the required diligence and care obligation. At this stage, no fault was found in other institutions and individuals regarding the occurrence of the accident," it was stated.
FIRST TIME IN FRONT OF A JUDGE
An indictment was prepared against 4 suspects for the crime of 'causing death by negligence' with a request for up to 6 years in prison. The first hearing of the case, accepted by the Tarsus 10th Criminal Court of First Instance, was held today. The hearing was attended by the detained suspects, Kıyga's relatives, and lawyers.
The defendants who were given the floor in the hearing made statements regarding the elevator accident.
The court judge, who also listened to the lawyers, ruled for the release of the detained defendant, former elevator company manager Sadık Sökmen, under judicial control. The court decided to continue the detention of the other defendants and adjourned the hearing.