19.10.2026 11:15
Search and rescue operations continue after a 14-person IHH volunteer group that was in Yazılı Canyon in the Sütçüler district of Isparta for training got stranded. Sinan Yavuz, 42, from the group lost his life, and 3 people were rescued alive. The Governor's Office announced that contact was established with 10 people located at a different point whose health condition is good. The operations, which were suspended at night, resumed in the morning with helicopter and drone support.
In Isparta, the second day of rescue operations has begun in Yazılı Canyon, where volunteers of the Human Rights and Freedoms Humanitarian Relief Foundation (İHH) are trapped. Teams are trying to reach 10 volunteers located at a different point in the canyon.
THEY CAME TO THE CANYON FOR TRAINING
It was learned that the 14-person group, which came from Istanbul and consisted mostly of professional climbers, was in the region for search and rescue training and a canyon activity. It was stated that the group began hiking from Yeşildere Neighborhood of Sütçüler at around 09.00 and planned to leave the region in the evening. After communication with the group could not be established, a report was made to the 112 Emergency Call Center at around 12.00 yesterday.
AFAD TEAMS DISPATCHED FROM 7 PROVINCES
Following the report, AFAD teams from Antalya, Isparta, Burdur, Denizli, Afyonkarahisar, Kastamonu, and Konya were dispatched to the region. During the operations carried out in steep and rugged terrain, the group's locations were identified by drone. As a result of the teams' intensive efforts, 3 volunteers were rescued alive.
“WE ASSESS THAT HE DIED AS A RESULT OF DROWNING IN THE STREAM”
It was determined that Sinan Yavuz, 42, from the group, lost his life. Isparta Governor Abdullah Erin, who inspected the operations on site, said, “We assess that our deceased citizen died as a result of drowning in the stream.” It was learned that Yavuz's lifeless body was reached and removed from the area where it was found.
10 PEOPLE ARE WAITING BY LIGHTING A FIRE
In a statement from the Governor's Office, it was reported that contact had been established with 10 people who were at a different point from those rescued and whose health condition was good. It was conveyed that the volunteers, whose location was determined by drone, had taken shelter by lighting a fire. İHH also announced in its statement that the evacuation of the trapped volunteers was continuing in coordination with AFAD.
OPERATIONS RESUMED IN THE MORNING
Due to the steep nature of the terrain and nighttime conditions, operations were suspended at night in order not to risk the safety of the teams. In the operations restarted in the early morning hours, reconnaissance was carried out by helicopter at first light, and an area scan was also conducted with a drone. Search and rescue teams, meanwhile, continue their work on the ground. Authorities stated that the operation is being carried out step by step with team safety as a priority.