The Mayor of Konak, in the area where there is an electrical leakage, the cables that should be at a depth of 80 centimeters are at 30 centimeters.

Konak Municipality Mayor Nilüfer Çınarlı Mutlu spoke about the incident where two people lost their lives due to electric shock on the street in Alsancak district of Izmir during heavy rainfall two days ago. Mutlu stated, "The cables, which should be at a depth of 80 centimeters, seem to be at 30 centimeters or more without sufficient insulation."

In Alsancak, Özge Ceren Deniz and İnanç Öktemay lost their lives while trying to cross the road during heavy rain two days ago. Mayor Mutlu, who conducted inspections on Enver Dündar Başar Street where the incident occurred, said in a statement to journalists that there is no forgivable aspect to the death of two people due to electric shock while walking on the road.

"WE WILL PURSUE THOSE RESPONSIBLE"

Mutlu stated that investigations are being carried out to determine the cause of the incident and said, "I will not call this an accident, people and technical experts are trying to find out why this murder happened. We are waiting for that. We will pursue those responsible and we will never stop seeking justice for our deceased citizens."

"THE CABLES THAT SHOULD BE AT A DEPTH OF 80 CENTIMETERS HAVE INSUFFICIENT INSULATION AT 30 CENTIMETERS AND ABOVE"

Responding to a question, Mutlu claimed that the electricity line in the area was built at a depth that does not comply with the standards and said, "The cables, which should be at a depth of 80 centimeters, seem to be at 30 centimeters or more without sufficient insulation. But of course, when the experts prepare and submit their reports, they will reveal who and how this negligence was committed."

SMOKE WAS ALSO COMING OUT DURING PREVIOUS RAINS

Meanwhile, footage showing smoke coming out of the drain during heavy rainfall on January 9, 2024, where two people were electrocuted, has also emerged. In these images taken by the camera that recorded yesterday's accident 7 months ago, it can be seen that smoke rises from the drain holes and warning cones are placed on the drain.

The Chamber of Electrical Engineers (EMO) Izmir Branch emphasized that the incident that caused outrage was due to "insulation error," while GDZ Electricity Distribution Inc. claimed that they were not responsible for the grates mentioned in the news.

STATEMENT FROM THE CHAMBER OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS IZMIR BRANCH

In a statement made by EMO Izmir Branch, it was emphasized that the infrastructure used by electricity distribution companies should be nationalized and the real causes of the incident where two people lost their lives will be revealed after the prosecutor's investigation and expert examinations. The following opinions were expressed:

"The tragedy in Alsancak revealed that the necessary precautions against flooding in the electricity network were neglected. In November 2023, the region could not be supplied with electricity for a while due to the rise of seawater. As a result of the overflow of the sea, many transformer centers were submerged, and power could not be supplied to some streets for days. GDZ Electricity Distribution Inc., which took over the electricity network in our province after privatization, was able to energize the region by temporarily moving underground cables above ground. The additions made to transformer centers and distribution panels, and the feed cables between distribution panels and buildings during that period should be examined. If there are unsuitable cables in the region, they should be replaced immediately, and work should be initiated to renew transformer centers and distribution panels that were damaged during the flood."

According to the initial findings of the technical team formed by EMO Izmir Branch, there is an insulation error in the cables that go from transformer centers to distribution panels on the street where the incident occurred. It is thought that these insulation errors caused the two citizens to lose their lives due to contact with water. We urgently call on Turkey Electricity Distribution Inc. (TEDAŞ) and Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) to identify and eliminate the deficiencies in the region. Despite our warnings after the flood in November 2023, the fact that no precautions were taken necessitates the involvement of all public institutions to prevent a similar disaster from happening again, and we emphasize that we are ready to provide the necessary technical support.

"EXORBITANT COST, INADEQUATE SERVICE"

The infrastructure used by electricity distribution companies is public property, and the service they provide is a public service. Distribution companies are obliged to renew the electricity network, which they must transfer to the public at the end of their term, according to the technology of the day. While digitalization studies are being carried out in distribution networks all over the world, it is unacceptable for our country to regress in a way that endangers life and property safety. Distribution companies are responsible for delivering electricity in a quality, safe, and continuous manner. According to our calculations, a family of four is expected to consume 230 kWh of energy per month to meet the minimum living standards. The monthly bill for this consumption is 476.6 TL as of July 1, 2024. 66% of the average bill, which is 314 TL, is transferred to these companies under the name of distribution fee.

"THESE COMPANIES THAT ENDANGER THE LIFE AND PROPERTY SAFETY OF OUR PEOPLE SHOULD BE URGENTLY INSPECTED"

Despite transferring such a high amount of public resources to distribution companies with the recent electricity price increases, these companies that do not make sufficient investments in the field to keep costs low and endanger the life and property safety of our people, as seen after the heavy rains in Izmir yesterday, need to be urgently inspected administratively and financially.

"PUBLIC MONOPOLY SHOULD BE REESTABLISHED"

By emphasizing the deficiencies in technical inspection in the neglected electricity grid, we are warning the public. For a permanent solution, a vertically integrated public monopoly should be reestablished to manage all processes from production to distribution. During the transition period, instead of transferring public resources to the private sector in an uncertain manner, the Expropriation Administration Presidency should be established to carry out expropriation procedures. "

STATEMENT FROM THE ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION COMPANY

In the statement made by GDZ Electricity Distribution Inc., the following statements were included:

"We have learned with great sadness that İnanç Öktemay and Özge Ceren Deniz lost their lives by being exposed to electric current during heavy rainfall in Konak district of Izmir. While the investigation of the tragic losses that occurred yesterday evening is being carried out by the judicial authorities, we continue to provide all kinds of support to help the relevant authorities clarify the incident as soon as possible. In the initial examinations, it is important to note that there is no overhead investment belonging to our company in the region, and the responsibility for the grates, which are also reflected in the news, does not belong to our company. Furthermore, there have been no complaints regarding our investments in the region in the last 6 months. We express our belief that the incident will be clarified following the expert report, and we emphasize that we are fully supportive and transparently standing by the relevant authorities. We extend our deepest condolences to İnanç Öktemay and Özge Ceren Deniz, whose loss we deeply mourn, and we wish patience and condolences to their grieving families, relatives, and loved ones. "

WHAT HAPPENED?

Yesterday in Konak district, İnanç Öktemay and Özge Ceren Deniz, who were trying to escape from the heavy rain, were electrocuted after stepping into a puddle on Enver Dündar Başar Street and could not be saved despite the intervention at the hospital.