Turkey: German family's deadly poisoning spurs investigation

There is finally certainty. The four members of a family from the northern German city of Hamburg that recently passed away in the coastal city of Istanbul, Turkey, died of poisoning from pesticides that were used in their hotel. This is the conclusion of the forensic report, which, according to Turkish media reports, was released to the authorities on November 26.

The Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office said on Thursday that the family members had been killed by an insecticide that was used in their hotel. It did not specify the exact type of poison but added that there were no indications of food poisoining. 

As a result of the new findings, the public prosecutors said that four suspects, which include people who hold food stalls and restaurants, had been released. Six others, including the hotel owner, the owner of a pest control company and several of his employees, remain in custody. 

Several media outlets had previously reported that investigators had discovered phosphine in the family's hotel room. This highly toxic gas is produced when aluminum phosphide comes into contact with water or moisture. It can damage the body's cells, preventing oxygen transport in higher concentrations and, for example, causing people to cough, vomit, as well as suffer liver and kidney dysfunction. 

In Turkey, aluminium phosphide is often used for pest control on farms and in warehouses.

The death of the  family of four has not only caused deep consternation, but also highlighted serious safety deficiencies and brought to the fore a series of unsolved cases of poisoning in Turkey.

The family had traveled to Istanbul on November 9 for a short vacation. The parents and their two children went to hospital on November 12 complaining of symptoms that included pain, nausea and vomiting. They returned to their hotel after receiving treatment but their condition deteriorated rapidly in the night. They went back to hospital with the children dying shortly afterwards. The mother died the next day, while the father remained in intensive care. He died on November 17.

Initial suspicion of food poisoning

At first, the authorities suspected food poisoning as the family had eaten a lot of street food and fast food.

However, suspicion quickly shifted to the hotel where the family was staying, after other guests were admitted to nearby hospitals with similar symptoms. According to the hotel manager, highly toxic insecticides had been used in the hotel to combat bed bugs. Investigators therefore considered chemical poisoning to be the more likely cause of death.

The investigation has brought to light alarming details about the pest control company that the hotel used. According to the transcripts, the owner admitted to not having the right license for providing pest control when he was interrogated, and could not provide evidence of relevant safety training.

Other similar, unresolved cases

In the wake of the deaths of the four Hamburg family members, the parents of a three-year-old child who died in Istanbul on April 18, 2023 have come forward. According to the autopsy report, their child was poisoned by insecticides that had been deployed in its immediate vicinity. The same company was involved and continued to operate despite the legal complaint filed by the parents of the child.

The recent case has also drawn attention to unsolved cases that indicate that there is a widespread problem regarding the use of pesticides.

The parents of Marlene P., an Erasmus student from the German city of Lüneburg who died in Istanbul a year ago, have also spoken out. They only received the forensic report on the cause of their child's death in August 2025. It too details poisoning by pesticides. It would appear that insecticides were sprayed to combat bed bugs in the apartment below Marlene P's. The parents have called for the case to be solved and those responsible to be held to account.

A year ago, a one-year-old baby died in Izmir and a seven-year-old boy died in Konya. In both cases, pest controllers are reported to have sprayed toxic insecticides.

Widespread food poisoning

Food poisoning is also a problem in Turkey. According to the Turkish news agency DHA, there were at least 15 cases of mass poisoning in November alone. More than 900 people who had eaten in canteens, cafeterias or at large events required treatment. This is thought to be only the tip of the iceberg, as many cases go unreported.

In light of the latest tragedy, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the relevant ministries are working to limit the damage and tighten controls. The Istanbul authorities have announced stricter controls on street vendors and the establishment of a new food inspection commission. Furthermore, food-related businesses will be required to make uninterrupted audio and video recordings.

The sale and use of pesticides will also be subject to stricter controls.

The tourism sector has reacted with concern to the recent cases of poisoning: Rasit Genc, the owner of a travel agency based in Istanbul's old town, told DW that there had been a series of cancelations.

The German tourism industry has also taken action.

In response to an inquiry from DW, the German Travel Association (DRV) said that it had contacted the Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TÜROFED) and the Turkish embassy, adding: "We have urgently requested that contact be made with hotels to ensure that only permitted and approved pest control treatments are used, and used properly so as not to endanger the safety of people — guests as well as employees."

The German Foreign Office has not so far updated its travel advisory for Turkey. It is currently unclear whether this will happen.

This article was translated from German.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misidentified the gas that was reportedly found in the family's room.