The statement from Zengin, a member of the AK Party, who drew attention to the five siblings who died in the fire: "You tie everything to money."

Last night, the heartbreaking news from İzmir devastated all of Turkey. The five children of Melisa Sinem Akcan, who left home to collect the money for the scrap she had gathered, lost their lives in a fire caused by an overturned electric heater. AK Party Group Deputy Chairman Özlem Zengin made a statement today regarding the tragic incident that came to the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).

In her statement, AK Party Group Deputy Chairman Özlem Zengin said, "110,705 lira has been provided by our ministry, and approximately 9,000 lira has been given as electricity support through the district governor's office, along with other supports. However, the fact is; despite all this, the family preferred to take care of their children themselves. There is no intention to forcibly take anyone's child," she said.

"THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS WITHIN THE FAMILY"

Zengin continued her statement as follows:

"If the mother has an issue regarding taking care of her children, I always call for this. I say let’s talk about it together through the system," Zengin said, "You keep turning everything into a monetary issue. Is the reason for all these problems financial? No, there are other reasons behind this. Let’s talk, and I will explain it to you. There are other problems within the family as well. I find it hard to understand why you keep linking everything to money on such a painful day."

THE FAMILY WAS BENEFITING FROM THE FAMILY SED PROGRAM

It has been revealed that the family of the five children who lost their lives in the fire that broke out in the house where their mother, Melisa Akcan, locked the door behind them to go scrap collecting, was benefiting from the Social Economic Support (SED) program provided by the Ministry of Family and Social Services. According to information obtained from ministry sources, the Akcan family received a total of 110,000 lira in support payments since August, along with regular support and additional assistance. Ministry teams made 18 visits to the Akcan family's home within this year. During these visits, in addition to the support provided by experts and the observations made, it was suggested that the siblings be taken into state custody; however, the family did not accept this. Therefore, the children continued to be supported alongside their family under the SED program.