22.10.2026 13:36
In the Menderes district of İzmir, the indictment in the case file of siblings Balımnaz (16) and Nergiz Türkkal (21), who lost their lives in a car swept away by flood on February 5, was accepted. For the detained defendants Tamer Demirdaş and Devran Yağız, who escaped from the vehicle by their own means, imprisonment of up to 25 years each, twice, was requested on the charge of "intentional killing by omission." The indictment emphasized that if the defendants had reported the situation, there was a possibility that the siblings could have been found alive.
In the Menderes district of İZMİR, in the indictment prepared regarding the deaths of Balımnaz Türkkal (16) and her sister Nergiz Türkkal (21) in a car swept away by flood, prison sentences of up to 25 years each, twice separately, were sought for the detained defendants Devran Yağız (28) and Tamer Demirdaş (33) on the charge of 'intentional killing by omission'. In the indictment accepted by the court, it was underlined that the suspects did not report the situation to official authorities, and that if they had reported it, there would have been a possibility that the Türkkal sisters would be found alive.
THEY WERE SWEPT AWAY BY FLOOD WHILE CROSSING THE BRIDGE
On the Kısık Industrial road in Oğlananası Neighborhood of Menderes district, the car containing Balımnaz Türkkal, her sister Nergiz Türkkal, Devran Yağız and Tamer Demirdaş was allegedly swept away by flood on the evening of February 5, 2026, while crossing the bridge over the stream. Yağız and Demirdaş in the drifting car saved themselves by their own means. Upon notification, the İzmir Gendarmerie Command Underwater Search and Rescue Team and AFAD teams were dispatched to the area. Devran Yağız was taken into custody, while Demirdaş fled. In the search and rescue efforts, in which trained dogs were also used, the lifeless bodies of Balımnaz and her sister Nergiz Türkkal were reached. The Türkkal sisters were buried in Hacılarkırı Cemetery.
BOTH SUSPECTS WERE ALSO ARRESTED
Gendarmerie teams caught Tamer Demirdaş, who had a criminal record for 'manufacturing and selling drugs' and 'theft' and an arrest warrant, and who was determined to have been driving the car swept away by the flood. Demirdaş was arrested by the court he was brought before in the courthouse after procedures at the gendarmerie. Devran Yağız, who appeared before the judge, was released under judicial control conditions. Upon the objection made by the Menderes Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Devran Yağız, who was taken into custody again, was arrested.
'STATEMENTS ARE AIMED AT ESCAPING THE CRIME'
The investigation conducted regarding the incident was completed and the indictment was prepared. It was emphasized that the suspects and the two sisters drank alcohol at a restaurant and then set out in the car belonging to Demirdaş. It was underlined that the vehicle fell into the stream on the road and that the flow rate was high. In the indictment, it was underlined that the suspects did not report the situation to official authorities, and that if they had reported it, there would have been a possibility that the Türkkal sisters would be found alive.
It was emphasized that Tamer Demirdaş stated in his statement that he was not drunk, but that his statements were aimed at escaping the crime. It was also included in the indictment that Demirdaş surrendered to law enforcement forces 4 days after the accident occurred, thereby preventing an alcohol report from being taken. It was underlined that the other suspect, Yağız, also did not report the situation and reported it to law enforcement forces 14-15 hours after the incident. In light of the statements taken and the statements collected, prison sentences of up to 25 years each, twice separately, were sought for both defendants on the charge of 'intentional killing by omission'. The indictment was accepted by the court.