01.06.2026 13:20
8 people died when a passenger bus traveling on the Izmir-Antalya route hit barriers and caught fire on the Aydın-Denizli Highway. It was claimed that the driver, who lost his life in the horrific accident, suffered a heart attack at the wheel.
As the investigation into the bus tragedy in Denizli, which claimed 8 lives, continues, a new claim has emerged regarding the cause of the accident.
BUS HIT BARRIERS AND CAUGHT FIRE
The accident occurred around 01:30 AM at the Tırkaz Mahallesi location on the Aydın-Denizli Highway. According to information received, the passenger bus belonging to Pamukkale Turizm, driven by Mustafa Fevzi Merdün, was traveling from Izmir to Antalya when it suddenly went out of control and crashed into steel barriers on the roadside. Due to the impact, a large fire broke out in the bus within a short time. Following reports to the scene, health, fire brigade, police, gendarmerie, AFAD, and UMKE teams were dispatched. After intense efforts, the flames were brought under control and extinguished within about half an hour.
ONE BABY AMONG 8 WHO LOST THEIR LIVES
After the fire was extinguished, the scene revealed the extent of the disaster. Health teams determined at the scene that the bus driver Mustafa Fevzi Merdün and passengers Civan Şen, his 9-month-old son Eyüp Miraç Şen, Hayriye Arıkan, Merve Erik, Zehra Eyiol, Kyrgyz national Güli Tayboya, and Fatma Kartal had lost their lives. During inspections by the crime scene investigation teams, a heart-wrenching detail emerged. It was understood that father Civan Şen, who lost his life in the accident, had covered his 9-month-old son Eyüp Miraç Şen's tiny body with his own in an attempt to protect him from the flames.
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CLAIM THAT THE DRIVER HAD A HEART ATTACK
Initial statements given to the gendarmerie by survivors of the accident and claims from the driver's family have revealed important details about the cause of the incident. Some passengers who were awake at the time stated that the driver, Mustafa Fevzi Merdün, had pulled the bus over to the emergency lane about 20 minutes before the accident due to suspicion of a malfunction, got out to check, and then continued on his way.
Meanwhile, family members of the bus driver claimed that an autopsy of the driver Mustafa Fevzi Merdun revealed he had suffered a heart attack. It was also learned that the driver had pulled over and checked the vehicle about 20 minutes before the accident due to a malfunction, and then continued on his way.
CONDITION OF 2 INJURED IS SERIOUS
In the incident, where a scene of chaos unfolded, 33 injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals by ambulances after first aid at the scene. It was announced that 17 of the injured were discharged after treatment, while 16 continued to receive treatment in hospitals, and the condition of 2 injured remained critical.
IDENTIFICATION OF BODIES MAY TAKE A WEEK
A comprehensive effort has been initiated at the Denizli Forensic Medicine Institute for the definitive identification of the victims who died in the horrific fire. Blood samples have been taken from the grieving families who came to Denizli from Izmir and Antalya, and the DNA matching and identification process is expected to take about a week. The multi-faceted investigation into the accident continues.