Temporarily Closed
German-Turkish Family Dies After Pesticide Poisoning in Istanbul Hotel
"Temporarily closed"—that is the brief notice displayed online when searching for the Harbour Suites Old City Hotel in Istanbul. The hotel is located in the heart of Istanbul's Fatih district, near the magnificent Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Süleymaniye Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar—all landmarks a German-Turkish family of four likely intended to visit in November of last year. Instead, after just a few days, they died in a hospital, poisoned by toxins allegedly released by a pesticide illegally used in the hotel.
The tragic case has drawn widespread attention in Turkey and internationally. The father of the deceased 38-year-old man has been particularly vocal in seeking public scrutiny. On Tuesday, he traveled from Hamburg to Istanbul specifically to attend the trial's opening in the Çağlayan district. "This family no longer exists," Yılmaz Böcek, appearing as a co-plaintiff, told German broadcaster RTL before the proceedings.
Illegally Used Pesticide
Initially, food poisoning was suspected—the family went to the hospital with nausea and vomiting but were sent away. Later that same day, they were readmitted. First, the 27-year-old mother died, then the three- and five-year-old children. After several days in intensive care, the 38-year-old father also succumbed to the poisoning. That same weekend, two other tourists staying at the hotel, along with an employee, were hospitalized with similar symptoms. They survived.
Investigators believe the chemical aluminum phosphide—deemed unsuitable for bedbug control by the German Pest Control Association—was used in the hotel. When exposed to moisture, it releases the deadly gas phosphine, which disrupts cellular respiration. The gas reportedly seeped into the family's room through leaks in the heating pipes. Traces of phosphine were also found in the hotel's towels.
The company responsible had neither the necessary permits nor safety measures in place, according to the plaintiffs. Shortly after the family's deaths in November, then-Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç vowed: "Whoever is responsible for this family's death will be held accountable in court. Extra caution is essential in this industry—after all, precious lives are at stake."
Six People Charged
Six individuals now face trial: the hotel owner, a hotel employee, the owner and staff of the pest control company (which had previously been fined for unauthorized pesticide use and is under investigation for the death of a three-year-old boy in early 2025). The charges range from negligent homicide to reckless manslaughter, the latter carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 22.5 years. Prosecutors and the victims' family are demanding the maximum penalty for each defendant per fatality. The family's lawyer also intends to pursue legal action against the attending doctors and nurses.
Hotel Owner Denies Responsibility
Media reports describe the hotel owner as deeply affected by the family's deaths but denying any culpability. While he admitted to hiring a company to address a pest infestation in one of the rooms, he claimed it was not his responsibility to verify whether the firm held valid certifications.
He also stated that he had instructed staff not to check any guests into the treated room. However, he claimed to have been unaware of the ventilation system's structure and associated risks.
The head of the pest control company, charged alongside his son and an employee, has also denied the allegations. He argued that the business was registered with tax authorities as a cleaning company and that government agencies had failed to conduct proper oversight.
The employee who carried out the treatment claimed he had been hired as a cleaning worker without certification. He said he had only been protected by a dust mask and denied using aluminum phosphide. Had he believed the substances were toxic, he would not have used them, the accused employee stated.
Not an Isolated Case
Particularly troubling is the fact that this is not the first fatality linked to pest control chemicals in Turkey. In 2024, a 21-year-old student from Hamburg died during her study abroad in Istanbul. Her death was initially attributed to food poisoning, but a forensic report later suggested she may have been poisoned by pesticides used against bedbugs in a neighboring apartment. In August, two young Dutch nationals were found dead in a hotel, with food poisoning suspected as the cause. According to media reports, the hotel was located in close proximity to the one where the Hamburg family had stayed.
It remains unclear when—or if—a verdict will be reached in the trial, which could drag on for months or even years.
Authorities Under Fire
Turkish media coverage on Tuesday was notably restrained. The case is not only devastating for the reputation of the Bosphorus metropolis—Istanbul recorded an estimated 19.7 million international tourists last year, a six percent increase over the previous year. In February, the Turkish state news agency Anadolu reported "record revenues and visitor numbers" in Turkey, despite "geopolitical challenges."
Following the family's deaths, authorities announced plans to tighten pesticide controls in hotels. Yet Turkish officials have repeatedly faced accusations of inadequate inspections and corruption. After the catastrophic 1999 Gölcük earthquake, residential buildings collapsed like houses of cards. Following the February 2023 earthquake in Hatay province, which killed 53,000 people in Turkey alone, construction firms were accused of negligence and shoddy workmanship. Authorities were criticized for turning a blind eye to building violations, such as unauthorized hotel expansions. In a subsequent trial, a hotel owner and an architect were sentenced to heavy fines and lengthy prison terms.
The hotel fire in the Turkish ski resort of Kartalkaya in January 2025, which claimed 78 lives, was also blamed on inadequate safety measures and faulty construction. The hotel owner, his family, the deputy mayor, and others were sentenced to multiple life terms. These allegations also implicate the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has aggressively promoted the construction sector as an economic driver—a strategy that critics say has come at the expense of safety regulations. Approval processes are expedited, inspections are often insufficient, and protective measures are sometimes bypassed or inconsistently enforced.
"I want the whole truth about what exactly happened and what they have to say in their defense," said Yilmaz Böcek, the grandfather of the deceased children.
