Forensic report says Istanbul tourists deaths likely due to chemical poisoning

A forensic report into the deaths of four members of a Turkish-German family on holiday in Istanbul revealed they were likely exposed to chemicals, local media reported on Wednesday.

The family, who travelled from Germany to Turkiye's largest city for a vacation, fell ill last week after eating several popular street food dishes in Ortakoy and passed away. Turkish prosecutors launched an investigation, initially focusing on suspected food poisoning.

Eleven people have been detained in connection with the incident. But a forensic report based on samples taken from the mother and the two children showed that their death due to food poisoning was a lower possibility. The forensic report also said samples of chemical substances used in the hotel would be examined by the chemistry department at the Forensic Medicine Institute.