A German family’s holiday nightmare turned deadly in Istanbul after parents and their two young children died from suspected food poisoning. The tragedy unfolded just days after they arrived from Hamburg.
Street Food Fever Turns Fatal
On November 11, the family, including three-year-old Masal and six-year-old Kadir, sampled popular Turkish street foods in the Besiktas district. They enjoyed midye (stuffed mussels), kokorec (calf intestines), and tavuk tantuni (chicken wraps) before buying Turkish delights in the Fatih neighbourhood.
Within hours back at their hotel, all four fell violently ill with severe nausea and vomiting.
Rapid Decline and Heartbreaking Loss
The children and their parents were rushed to the hospital twice but discharged, only to worsen later. Mother Cigdem Bocek, 27, and the children died by Wednesday. Father Servet, 38, held on until Monday before succumbing to the illness.
Authorities Swing Into Action
Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a full probe. Seven people, including street food vendors, have been detained as police investigate whether tainted seafood, restaurant meals, or hotel chemicals caused the poisoning.
Samples from local food stalls and restaurants are under forensic review. Post-mortem tests aim to pinpoint the exact cause of death.
“The investigation is being carried out comprehensively. It will be revealed what caused the deaths,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
The children’s grieving grandfather has demanded answers, amid reports of two other tourists from the same hotel falling ill with similar symptoms.
Europe’s Food Poisoning Crisis Continues
This horrific case mirrors recent deadly food poisonings across Europe. In August, two Italians died after eating toxic broccoli and sausage sandwiches in Calabria, with over a dozen hospitalised from botulism — a rare but deadly bacterial illness.
Experts warn families: street food can be irresistible but risky. Stick to freshly cooked, trusted meals to avoid your own holiday horror story.
