19.07.2026 18:21
In the İncirliova district of Aydın, two children who entered the Büyük Menderes River to cool off were swept away by the current. While the lifeless body of 15-year-old Eda Kurtulmuş was recovered, search efforts continue for the other child. The Governor of Aydın conducted inspections at the scene.
In the İncirliova district of Aydın, after entering the Büyük Menderes River to cool off and being swept away by the current, the lifeless body of one of the missing children, 15-year-old Eda Kurtulmuş, was found. Aydın Governor Dr. Osman Varol, who went to the region, stated that efforts are ongoing intensively, saying, 'There has been a very intense effort since yesterday. We hope to reach our other loss as soon as possible.'
ONE WAS 11, THE OTHER 15 YEARS OLD The incident occurred yesterday at around 18:00 on the banks of the Büyük Menderes River within the borders of İncirliova district. According to information obtained, some of the children who went to the area for a picnic entered the river to cool off. While one of the children, who were allegedly caught in the current, managed to get out of the water on their own, 11-year-old Şahin Ö. and 15-year-old Eda Kurtulmuş disappeared.
Upon notification, teams from AFAD, Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department, 112 Emergency Health teams, Gendarmerie Search and Rescue (JAK) teams, police divers from the Izmir Maritime Port Branch Directorate Underwater Group Command, UMKE, and Gendarmerie Underwater Rescue teams were dispatched to the area. Teams arriving at the region launched an extensive search operation in the river and along the shoreline.
LIFELESS BODY OF ONE CHILD FOUND Approximately 21 hours into the efforts, the lifeless body of one of the children, Eda Kurtulmuş, was found. Efforts to locate the other child are ongoing.
STATEMENT FROM AYDIN GOVERNOR Aydın Governor Dr. Osman Varol, who came to the region and inspected the ongoing efforts with the participation of 32 divers, 6 boats, and 90 personnel, said: 'We have experienced a very tragic event. Our teams are working intensively in the field. Our colleagues recently located and found one of our missing persons. Search efforts are still ongoing. Currently, a significant number of our colleagues from both our province and neighboring provinces are continuing their work in the field. These are very well-trained colleagues. On one side, AFAD, our gendarmerie organization, our police force, our coast guard. Also, our underwater teams from Izmir, our expert teams in the province. Both our gendarmerie and coast guard have various technical equipment. Especially in such situations, we can reach the victims. They are continuing their work in the field together. There has been a very intense effort since yesterday. Currently, nearly 50 directly expert, well-trained personnel—let's include our fire department in this—are continuing operations in the field from our metropolitan municipality. We hope to reach our other loss as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I want to express that we share the pain of our families. To support them, all our institutions and organizations, our health organization, our family and social services organization will carry out all necessary efforts. Let's say our condolences on behalf of our country, our province, our district, our town.'