30.04.2025 11:52
Mehmet Zeki Gedikli, the owner of a gas station, has been arrested in connection with the family who lost their lives due to a landslide in the Canik district of Samsun. In his statement to the prosecutor's office, Gedikli said, "Since the rock was hard, we did not feel the need to build a retaining wall. Recently, there have been two earthquakes centered in Tokat and Taşova. The earthquakes may have displaced the rocks."
In the Canik district of Samsun, Adem Kaya (35) and his daughters Açelya Mina (5) and Alya Kaya (7) lost their lives under the rocks and soil that broke off from the mountain while washing their cars, and their mother Çiğdem Kaya (31) was injured. The statement of Mehmet Zeki Gedikli (80), the owner of the gas station who was arrested as part of the investigation into the landslide, has emerged. In his statement, Gedikli said, "The place where my business is located has been mine since 1996 as a plot of land. We wanted to open a gas station by obtaining the necessary permits and licenses from the municipality. The rocks at the site of the incident were hard and were in a wall status. Since the rock was hard, we did not feel the need to build a retaining wall."
The incident occurred on the evening of April 27 in the car wash section next to the gas station in the Devgeriş neighborhood of Canik district. While Adem Kaya was washing his car with the license plate 34 K 5396 in the car wash section of the station, a landslide occurred on the adjacent slope. Kaya, his wife Çiğdem Kaya, and their daughters Açelya Mina and Ayla Kaya were trapped under the rubble. Upon notification from the surrounding people, many police, health, fire, and AFAD teams were dispatched to the scene. The teams that started the search and rescue operations rescued Çiğdem Kaya, who had fractures in her arm, legs, and nose. It was reported that Çiğdem Kaya's treatment is ongoing after being taken to the hospital. After approximately 3 hours of work, the lifeless bodies of Adem Kaya and his 2 daughters were reached. Adem Kaya and his 2 daughters were buried in tears in the Karaçalı neighborhood of Terme district. The gas station was closed due to both the landslide risk and the need for investigation and inquiry. It was stated that the fate of the station would be determined after the investigation to be conducted.
"WE DID NOT FEEL THE NEED TO BUILD A WALL" The Samsun Chief Public Prosecutor's Office assigned 1 Chief Public Prosecutor's Deputy and 1 Public Prosecutor as part of the investigation. In the conducted operations, gas station owner Mehmet Zeki Gedikli and responsible manager K.Y. (62) were detained. The suspects, who were brought to court at the courthouse, were arrested, while K.Y. was released under judicial control.
Meanwhile, the statement given by Mehmet Zeki Gedikli at the prosecutor's office has emerged. In his statement, Gedikli said, "The place where my business is located has been mine since 1996 as a plot of land. We wanted to open a gas station by obtaining the necessary permits and licenses from the municipality. Some areas of this plot had settled foundations, and we started construction on these foundations. The rocks at the site of the incident were hard and were in a wall status. Since the rock was hard, we did not feel the need to build a retaining wall. The car wash section was marked on the site plan. I am very sorry for this incident and for those who lost their lives. Recently, there have been two earthquakes centered in Tokat and Taşova. The intensity was felt in Samsun as well. Those earthquakes may have displaced the rocks. What is my fault in this?"