14.11.2025 17:27
The trip of the 4-member Böcek family from Germany to Istanbul turned into a nightmare during their visit to Ortaköy. Kadir Muhammet, 3, and Masal, 6, lost their lives after eating kumpir and mussels, while their mother, Çiğdem B., also passed away today. The father has been intubated. Meanwhile, the restaurant where the family ate has been indefinitely sealed by the Beşiktaş Municipality, and 4 people, including the mussel vendor, the confectioner, and the restaurant owner, have been taken into custody.
The Böcek family, who came from Germany to Turkey for a holiday, was poisoned after eating food in Ortaköy. While the 3 and 6-year-old siblings from the family passed away yesterday, today their mother Çiğdem B. also lost her life. It has been learned that the father, Servet B., has been intubated. Meanwhile, 4 people have been detained in connection with the incident.
HOTEL SECURITY CAMERA RECORDS UNDER INVESTIGATION In the investigation conducted by the police teams, it was determined that the family had eaten mussels from a street vendor and dined at a restaurant in Ortaköy after arriving in Istanbul. While the investigation into the incident continues, the hotel’s security camera records have been taken under examination, and the statements of 4 individuals have been requested.
"202 OFFICIAL CONTROLS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED IN 138 FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS" In a statement made by the Food and Feed Branch of the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry regarding the issue, it was stated, "The process of examining the camera records of the Police Department is ongoing, and our Food Inspection teams are on standby to respond to any information provided about different establishments/consumed foods. A total of 192,148 official controls have been conducted in 135,717 food establishments operating in Istanbul in 2025; administrative fines have been imposed on 8,026 establishments, and criminal complaints have been filed against 79 establishments. So far, a total of 6,587 samples have been taken in Istanbul, and 476 of them have been found to be non-compliant. In the 138 food establishments operating in the Ortaköy neighborhood of Beşiktaş district, 202 official controls have been conducted, and only 1 administrative fine has been imposed. So far, a total of 7 samples have been taken, and no non-compliance has been detected. There have been no other notifications received through the Provincial Health Directorate and the Prosecutor's Office to our Provincial and District Directorates," the statement said.
STATEMENT FROM BEŞIKTAŞ MUNICIPALITY While the investigation initiated regarding the incident continues, a written statement has also been released by Beşiktaş Municipality. The statement from the municipality included the following: "The news that the Böcek family, who came from Germany to Istanbul, was hospitalized with suspected food poisoning and that 2 children lost their lives has deeply saddened us all.
SEALING PERMANENTLY Notifications regarding the incident have been made to our Ortaköy Zabıta Directorate by the relevant units of the Beşiktaş District Directorate of Agriculture and the Istanbul Police Department. The establishment believed to have caused the incident has been sealed permanently by our municipality's units to protect public health and safety.
"NECESSARY EXAMINATIONS HAVE BEEN INITIATED" Additionally, samples have been taken from the establishment believed to have caused the incident by the District Directorate of Agriculture, and necessary examinations have been initiated to evaluate hygiene conditions and clarify the incident. Our municipality will continue to closely monitor the ongoing judicial and administrative processes and will implement all necessary measures to protect public health without fail."
4 PEOPLE DETAINED Meanwhile, in connection with the incident in which three people lost their lives, 4 individuals, including the mussel vendor, the Turkish delight seller, and the restaurant owner, have been detained.
MINISTER TUNÇ: THE INVESTIGATION IS BEING CONDUCTED THOROUGHLY Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated in a statement on his official social media account that the investigation regarding the incident is being conducted meticulously and used the following expressions:
"After a family of 4 staying at a hotel in Istanbul was hospitalized with suspected poisoning, resulting in the death of 2 children and the mother, while the father's treatment is still ongoing, the investigation initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is being conducted thoroughly.
As part of the investigation;
Necessary samples have been collected from the places where the family is reported to have eaten, 4 individuals responsible and on duty at these places have been detained. Findings obtained by the crime scene investigation teams have been sent to the Forensic Medicine Institution, and examinations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of death of the 2 children and the mother. I pray for God's mercy on our 2 children and their mother who lost their lives in this tragic incident, and I extend my condolences and patience to their relatives. I wish a speedy recovery to the father who is undergoing treatment. The investigation continues in all aspects."