ISTANBUL – A hotel in Istanbul‘s Fatih district was evacuated on November 17, 2025, following the deaths of two German tourists, prompting a police investigation into suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities are examining the hotel’s heating system as a potential source of the leak.
The incident underscores growing concerns about safety standards in older buildings converted for tourism, particularly during the winter months when heating systems are heavily utilized. The deaths have impacted approximately 200 guests who were temporarily relocated while emergency services assessed the premises. The investigation aims too determine if negligence contributed to the tragedy and prevent similar occurrences.
According to a statement released by the Istanbul Governor’s Office, the two deceased, identified as a man and a woman, were found unresponsive in their room at the Hotel Grand Hilal. Emergency medical teams pronounced them dead at the scene at approximately 10:30 AM local time (07:30 GMT).
Initial reports indicated several other guests experienced symptoms consistent with carbon monoxide exposure,including dizziness,nausea,and headaches. Firefighters and gas technicians were dispatched to the hotel to measure carbon monoxide levels and ventilate the building. Preliminary readings confirmed elevated levels of the odorless, colorless gas.
“We are treating this as a serious incident and are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the deaths,” stated a police spokesperson. “All possible scenarios are being considered, but our primary focus is on the hotel’s heating and ventilation systems.”
The hotel management has cooperated with authorities and provided a list of all guests present at the time of the incident. The German consulate in Istanbul has been notified and is providing assistance to the families of the deceased.
The evacuated guests were offered choice accommodations in nearby hotels. Authorities have stated the hotel Grand Hilal will remain closed until a full safety inspection is completed and any necessary repairs are made. this incident follows a similar,though non-fatal,carbon monoxide scare at a hotel in Antalya earlier this year,raising questions about regulatory oversight of tourist accommodations in Turkey.
