27.07.2026 06:30
In the Tarsus district of Mersin, five people from the same family were caught by strong waves while swimming. The mother, father, and the mother's sister lost their lives, while a girl was rescued and taken to the hospital. Search efforts by teams from sea and land continue to find the missing child.
At around 18:00 on the coast of Kulak Neighborhood in the Tarsus district of Mersin, 5 people from the same family who entered the sea to cool off were swept away by strong waves shortly after.
Two people who noticed the situation entered the sea to rescue the family. These individuals, who were in danger of drowning, managed to return to shore on their own. Upon notification, the Coast Guard Command, Police Underwater Group Directorate, AFAD, fire department, health teams, and gendarmerie were dispatched to the area.
BODIES OF 3 PEOPLE FOUND
During the search efforts conducted by the teams, the lifeless bodies of the mother, father, and the mother's sister were found. The family's daughter, who was in danger of drowning, was taken to the hospital and treated. Searches continue at sea and on land to find the missing nephew.
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR TOROS
Mersin Governor Atilla Toros, who came to the scene and monitored the efforts closely, stated that after the drowning report, teams were quickly dispatched to the area, saying, "We determined that 2 more people entered the sea to rescue the 5-person family. These 2 individuals managed to get out of the sea on their own. Unfortunately, the mother, father, and the mother's sister from the 5-person family lost their lives. The girl rescued from the sea is continuing her treatment in the hospital. We have received information that her health condition is improving."
4 BOATS AND 4 DIVERS ON DUTY
Stating that efforts to find the missing child continue uninterrupted, Governor Toros said, "Searches are being carried out with a total of 4 boats—2 coast guard, 1 AFAD, and 1 police boat—and 4 divers. In addition to underwater and surface search operations at sea, our police, gendarmerie, AFAD, fire department, and health teams are also working on land. Our teams are continuing their efforts non-stop to find our missing citizen as soon as possible."