14.01.2026 18:10
Security officer Nazmiye Esen, who lost her life after a piece of apple got stuck in her trachea while eating at home in Zonguldak, was bid farewell on her final journey. It was revealed that the unfortunate woman's mother also died in 2020 after choking on mashed potatoes, and she lost her son in a traffic accident in 2016.
45-year-old Nazmiye Esen, who served as security personnel under the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services in Zonguldak, returned to her home in Karaelmas Neighborhood after work.
DIED WHILE EATING AN APPLE
Esen, who had dinner with her family, became breathless after a piece of apple got stuck in her trachea while she was eating in the kitchen. Upon noticing the situation, her daughter Sude alerted the authorities, and health teams were dispatched to the scene. After the initial intervention, Esen was taken to the Emergency Department of Atatürk State Hospital, but despite all the doctors' efforts, she could not be saved.
HER MOTHER DIED FROM CHOKING ON MASHED POTATOES
The death of Nazmiye Esen revealed a heartbreaking coincidence. It was learned that Esen's mother, Hatice Yarbaşı, choked on mashed potatoes at home during the pandemic in 2020 and lost her life. Additionally, it was noted that Nazmiye Esen lost her son Yahya Muslu in a traffic accident in Konya in 2016, while she and her daughter Sude Muslu survived the accident with injuries.
THEY GOT MARRIED DURING THE PANDEMIC
Another heartbreaking detail about the deceased Nazmiye Esen emerged. It was learned that she married her husband Özkan Esen on October 4, 2020, during the pandemic. The couple's wedding was officiated by the then Mayor of Zonguldak, Ömer Selim Alan.
"FOUND HER DAUGHTER FOAMING AT THE MOUTH"
Mohammed Yarbaşı, the cousin of Nazmiye Esen, who is the Muhtar of Kozlu Central Neighborhood, said: "She comes home around 4:30 PM. She says she feels a bit tired and sleeps for 2-3 hours. Then her husband comes. After having dinner, they go to sleep. Nazmiye loves apples very much. She was sitting on a chair in the kitchen eating an apple. Her daughter saw what happened next. When she got up, she was already foaming at the mouth. She fell to the ground."
Yarbaşı also answered a question about the death of Nazmiye Esen's mother, saying, "At that time, I was on duty. It happened at their home in Kozlu district. I don't remember much of the incident, but she died from choking on mashed potatoes. It was in 2020. Nazmiye's son Yahya also died in a traffic accident in 2016," he said.
"WE ARE AT THE END OF WORDS"
Mehmet Türkmen Köse, the Provincial Director of Family and Social Services, who attended the funeral, expressed their deep sorrow, saying, "There is not much to say. We are sad. We lost our staff. Unfortunately, she passed away due to the apple getting stuck in her throat and her breath being cut off. We are sad. May God give patience to those left behind. May her place be paradise."
THE GOVERNOR COMFORTED HER HUSBAND
A funeral ceremony was held for Nazmiye Esen at Çavdar Mosque in Kozlu Central Neighborhood. Yahya Yarbaşı, the father who is grieving the loss of his wife and daughter, struggled to stand during the funeral. Özkan Esen, who is experiencing the sorrow of suddenly losing his wife, whom he married about 6 years ago, was also comforted by Zonguldak Governor Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu.
The funeral prayer, attended by Nazmiye Esen's loved ones as well as protocol members, was led by Provincial Mufti İbrahim Halil Demir. Esen's body was laid to rest at Kozlu Military Hill Family Cemetery amid tears after the funeral prayer held in the afternoon.