Six Staff on Trial in Turkey for Poisoning German Family of Four with Insecticide

Six hotel staff and pest control workers went on trial in Turkey on Tuesday, charged with causing the deaths of a family of four from Germany poisoned by insecticide while on holiday in Istanbul, media reported. The Turkish-German Böcek family were staying at the Harbour Suites Old City hotel in Istanbul's Fatih district when they fell ill on 12 November, the state-run Anadolu news agency said. They took a taxi to a hospital complaining of nausea and vomiting before returning to the hotel. The following day they were taken to hospital by ambulance, where six-year-old Kadir Muhammet and his sister Masal, aged three, died. Their mother, Çiğdem, died on 14 November, while their father, Servet, died on 17 November. The Böceks' deaths raised concerns over hotel safety standards in Turkey and prompted calls for stricter oversight. Medics were initially unable to reach the Böcek family because, disturbed by the smell from the insecticide-treated room, receptionist Muhammad Moeen had left and locked the hotel entrance door, according to an indictment presented to the Istanbul 30th High Criminal Court. Images published at the time showed Servet Böcek carrying his daughter into the reception area before frantically trying to break the glass door. The seven-minute delay before Moeen returned to open the door was cited in the indictment as a factor contributing to the family's deaths, as were the lack of precautions while spraying and the absence of staff to respond to emergencies. Although the case was initially treated as food poisoning, an inspection found traces of the insecticide phosphine gas on towels, masks and swab samples taken from the hotel. Phosphine is a highly toxic substance that can cause severe respiratory problems and organ damage. The now-closed Harbour Suites is one of many low-cost hotels lying within walking distance of tourist attractions such as the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Prosecutors are seeking prison terms of between two years and eight months to 22 years for causing multiple deaths through negligence against hotel owner Hakan Oğlak; the owners of DSS Pest Control, Zeki Kişi and Serkan Kişi; DSS worker Doğan Çağferoğlu; and receptionist Moeen. Another hotel worker, Rüştemşa Batyrov, faces between two and 15 years for the same offence. Çağferoğlu, who sprayed the ground floor room immediately below the Böceks' room, was not certified to use hazardous chemicals, according to the indictment. The company was also uncertified and used aluminium phosphide, a substance unsuited for residential spaces. The indictment also says it employed unauthorised staff and failed to take safety precautions.