After family drama

Next tourist dead after hotel visit in Istanbul

The Turkish city of Istanbul is not at peace. (symbolic image)(Bild: Metin - stock.adobe.com)

Following the death of a German family, another German tourist has died in Istanbul. This was reported by several Turkish media outlets. The 35-year-old had previously been admitted to hospital with shortness of breath and sweating.

The cause of the tourist's death is still completely unclear. The 35-year-old, who had traveled to a trade fair on Monday for his logistics company, was taken to hospital with shortness of breath and heavy sweating, according to reports in the Turkish newspapers "Birgün" and "Hürriyet" as well as the pro-government paper "Sabah". He is said to have called the emergency services himself.

Ate beans and rice before being admitted
As the German newspaper "Focus" has now also reported, the German died a short time later in hospital. The doctors found no injuries caused by violence or sharp objects. His body was taken to the coroner's office to clarify the cause of death. According to the report, initial investigations revealed that the man had eaten beans and rice and smoked a water pipe the day before he was admitted.

Explosive: He was staying in a hotel in the Fatih district of Istanbul. This is the same district where the German family who died of poisoning had their hotel. 

The Turkish city of Istanbul is not at peace. (symbolic image)(Bild: Metin - stock.adobe.com)

Hamburg family died on vacation in Turkey
The death of the Hamburg family has been causing a stir since last week. The father, mother, five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter had traveled to Istanbul on 9 November and were first treated in hospital on 12 November with suspected food poisoning. All four later died, most recently the father on Monday.

Chemical poisoning in hotel? Eight suspects arrested
The authorities are now assuming a chemical poisoning in the family's hotel. According to the state news agency Anadolu, a room there was treated for pests on November 11. So far, eight suspects have been arrested, including food vendors and the pest controller who is said to have been employed at the hotel.

According to Anadolu, he stated in his statement that he had no special certification to apply the chemicals. A colleague had told him that this was not necessary. However, the license is also officially required for the purchase of aluminium phosphide. However, the product is currently freely available on the internet. The ministry has announced a new procedure whereby pesticides will only be available on prescription, issued by specialist staff.

Surveillance images allegedly show trapped family
Meanwhile, Turkish media circulated surveillance images allegedly showing the family trapped in the hotel at night while an ambulance waits for them outside (see post below). The footage shows a man trying to open the locked lobby door while holding one of his children in his arms. He also tries to break down the door. Anadolu reported that the receptionist locked the building to go eat.