08.07.2026 11:41
The last footage of 13-year-old Zerda Şahin, who lost her life after being swept away by the current while washing clothes in the Kızılırmak River in the Gemerek district of Sivas, was captured eight days before the incident at a beauty center. It was learned that Zerda, whose moments of hugging her hairdresser were reflected on camera, dreamed of building a good life.
The incident occurred on July 2nd in the village of Burhan, affiliated with the district. Gülistan Şahin (20), Zerda Şahin (13), and Gülseren Şahin (15), who had come to the region with their families as seasonal workers, went to the Kızılırmak riverbank to wash laundry.
TWO SISTERS LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE CURRENT
While washing clothes, the three siblings were caught by the current and began to be dragged in the water. Bystanders who noticed the situation quickly intervened and pulled Gülistan Şahin out of the water. However, Zerda and Gülseren Şahin disappeared due to the strong current. During searches in the river, Zerda's body was found the same day, while Gülseren Şahin's lifeless body was recovered 5 days after the incident.
The bodies of both sisters were handed over to their families after autopsies at the Sivas Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine Hospital morgue. The bodies were buried in their hometown of Andırın district, Kahramanmaraş.
"SHE GAVE 4 PAIRS OF SOCKS AS A GIFT"
Security camera footage emerged from a beauty center that Zerda Şahin visited in Şarkışla district 8 days before the incident.
The footage showed Zerda's happy moments as she hugged hairdresser Gülden Temur, who was doing her hair. Beauty center owner Gülden Temur stated she had known Zerda for about 9 years, saying, "They would stay in tents during the summer season. Whenever they came, she would always stop by. I've known her since she was 4. I used to tell her, 'Don't go anywhere, stay by my side.' She would sit for hours. I would wash and do her hair. She loved me very much. If I saw her outside, I would walk her to the tent. She told me, 'We travel all over Turkey, but I love you very much; I want you to do my hair, but I have no money.' I said, 'It doesn't matter.' I had a customer; she waited a bit and came back. I put a pink packet in her hair. She was very happy. Instead of money, she gave me 4 pairs of socks as a gift."
"SHE DREAMED OF STUDYING"
Temur, recounting Zerda's dream of education, said, "She told me she went to school but was embarrassed because she was older. I said, 'Not studying would be a shameful thing; you must continue.' She promised me. She said, 'I will raise my children well, continue my education, and not live the life our family has lived.' She dreamed of studying and building a good life. The last time she came, I did her hair. We hugged before she left. Those moments were captured on security cameras. It turned out to be our last hug. She said, 'I will take care of my future and be as successful as you.' She was very happy every time she looked in the mirror. When she went to the tent, she told everyone, 'Gülden abla did my hair.' Days later, when we saw the tragic news on social media, we called the family and learned that the deceased were Zerda and her sister. I was very saddened and cried. Zerda was truly a very special and wonderful child," she said.