Tragedy in Tarsus: 3 Family Members Drown in Sea

A tragic incident occurred in Tarsus, Mersin, where a family of five went to the sea and three of them drowned, one was hospitalized, and one is still missing. Zehra, 39, Savaş, 42, Fatma, 16, and Halil Öztürk, along with the mother's sister, Ceylan Dağaşan, 30, started to struggle in the water after entering the sea. Upon notification from bystanders, coast guard, gendarmerie, police, and health teams were dispatched to the area. Four people were pulled out of the water, but one person could not be reached. The health teams determined that Zehra Öztürk, Savaş Öztürk, and Ceylan Dağaşan had lost their lives. Fatma Öztürk, who was at risk of drowning, was hospitalized. An operation was launched to find the missing Halil Öztürk.

We started the search operation. We also learned that two people entered the water to rescue the family of five. These two people later exited the water on their own. The family of five includes a mother, father, the mother's sister, a nephew, and a daughter. Unfortunately, the mother, father, and the mother's sister lost their lives, and we have reached their lifeless bodies. One daughter is currently being treated in the hospital. Hopefully, her condition will improve.

Governor Atilla Toros told reporters that the family had entered the water to cool off in the area where the Tarsus River meets the sea. Toros stated that the teams were directed to the scene after the drowning report and that the search for the missing person is ongoing on both land and sea, saying:

The search for the nephew is ongoing. Currently, we have four boats in the area, two from the coast guard, one from AFAD, and one from the police, with four divers continuing the search in the sea. On land, we have a team consisting of our security forces, gendarmerie, AFAD, Fire Department, and health teams. Hopefully, we will find the missing person in the shortest time possible while continuing the search operation in the sea.