**Mother and Two Children Die in Istanbul After Suspected Food Poisoning**
A mother and her two young children have tragically died in Istanbul after what officials believe was a case of food poisoning. The family, identified as the Böcek family, was visiting from Hamburg, Germany and staying at a hotel in the Fatih District when they became suddenly ill during their holiday.
According to reports, the children—aged 6 and 3—were the first to fall critically ill. Despite doctors’ efforts, both children passed away. Their mother died shortly afterward, Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed in an update shared on X (formerly Twitter). The father remains hospitalized, with his treatment ongoing.
Following the incident, Istanbul health officials and prosecutors launched an investigation to determine what went wrong. They collected food samples from the restaurants and food vendors where the family had eaten. Tunc stated that four people “on duty and responsible at these places have been taken into custody” as part of the ongoing inquiry.
### Conflicting Reports on What the Family Ate
Media outlets have reported conflicting information about the food the family consumed prior to falling ill. CBS News stated that the family had popular local street foods such as mussels with rice and kumpir, a baked potato loaded with toppings. Other reports mentioned kokorec (a grilled lamb entrail dish) and Turkish delight.
However, CNN Türk, citing official sources, reported a different account. According to them, the family did not eat potatoes but instead had soup, kokorec, and mussels. The exact cause and source of the suspected food poisoning remain under investigation.
### Details Surrounding the Incident
The Böcek family arrived in Istanbul from Hamburg on Sunday, November 9, for their trip. Dr. Abdullah Emre Guner, Istanbul’s Regional Health Chief, said the family was rushed to the hospital from their hotel when they began showing severe symptoms.
Samples collected from food establishments are now being analyzed, and the findings have been sent to the Council of Forensic Medicine. “This group will determine the definitive cause of death of the two deceased children and the mother,” Minister Tunc explained.
He also expressed his condolences, stating, “I offer my deepest condolences and prayers for God’s mercy upon the two children and their mother who passed away in this tragic incident.”
### The Ongoing Challenge of Food Poisoning
Foodborne illness remains a serious issue globally. According to a March 2025 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), contaminated food caused more than 53,000 hospitalizations and over 900 deaths in the United States alone. Norovirus is responsible for the highest number of foodborne illnesses, while Salmonella leads to the most deaths.
As the investigation in Istanbul continues, officials hope to determine what led to this heartbreaking tragedy and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
https://attackofthefanboy.com/news/istanbul-family-hospitalized-with-suspected-food-poisoning-4-people-now-in-custody-as-investigation-launched/