20.08.2026 11:40
In the Erkmen town of Afyonkarahisar, poisoning occurred among workers at a tomato greenhouse owned by Alarko Agriculture after spraying. It was reported that some of the approximately 80 workers who started work in the morning were taken to the hospital due to complaints of vomiting and fever, and that the number has risen to 33, with concerns it may increase further. While AFAD and CBRN teams intervened, production at the greenhouse was temporarily halted and the prosecutor's office launched an investigation.
The number of people hospitalized after being poisoned at a sprayed tomato greenhouse in Afyonkarahisar has risen to 33, and there are concerns that the number may increase further.
SPRAYING WAS DONE 2 DAYS AGO
The incident occurred yesterday at the Alsera tomato and vegetable greenhouse, owned by Alarko Agriculture, located in the Cumhuriyet neighborhood of the Erkmen town, connected to the city center. According to claims, after the tomato harvest ended, the greenhouse was sprayed 2 days ago against pests and vermin. Workers who had been on leave for 2 days were called to the greenhouse by the company for production yesterday. Some of the nearly 80 workers who started work yesterday morning complained of vomiting and fever to their supervisors. Consequently, a few employees were sent to hospitals by the workplace using private vehicles. Then, the situation was reported to the 112 Emergency Call Center and help was requested.
Upon the report, health, AFAD, and UMKE teams were dispatched to the area. AFAD's specially dressed Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) teams arriving at the scene conducted checks using special devices. Twenty-four workers, determined to have been affected by the gas, were taken to hospitals by ambulances.
PRODUCTION IN THE GREENHOUSE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
As other employees also fell ill and applied to hospitals during yesterday evening and night hours, the number of poisoned workers rose to 33. It was reported that those who applied to hospitals were discharged after being kept under observation for a while following several hours of treatment. It was learned that those who applied to the hospital generally complained of symptoms such as retching and severe headaches, and there are concerns that the number may increase.
It was reported that the investigation launched by the prosecutor's office regarding the incident is ongoing.
On the other hand, it was stated that production in the greenhouse where the poisoning incident occurred has been temporarily suspended.