ISTANBUL – โขA hotel in Istanbul‘s Fatih district was evacuated onโฃ November 17, 2025, following โthe deaths of two German tourists, prompting aโค police investigationโ into suspected carbon monoxideโฃ 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 โขfor tourism, particularly during theโข winter months when heating โsystems are heavily utilized. The deaths have impacted approximately 200 guests โwho were temporarily relocated whileโค emergency services assessed the premises. The investigation aimsโ too determineโฃ if negligence contributed to the tragedy and prevent similar occurrences.
According to a statement released by the โIstanbul Governor’s Office, the two deceased, โidentified as a man and a woman, were found unresponsive in their room at the Hotel โฃGrand Hilal. Emergency โฃmedical teams pronounced them dead at the scene โขat approximately 10:30 AM local time (07:30 GMT).
Initial reports indicated several other guests experienced symptoms โconsistent with carbon monoxide exposure,including dizziness,nausea,and headaches. Firefighters and โคgas technicians were โฃdispatched to the hotel to measure carbon monoxide levels and ventilate the building. Preliminary readings โconfirmed 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 theโข deaths,” stated a police spokesperson. “All possible scenarios are being considered,โ but our primary focus is on the hotel’s heating and ventilation systems.”
The hotel management โคhas cooperated with authorities and โprovided a list of all guests present at the time of the incident. The German consulate in Istanbul has been notifiedโข and is providing assistance to the families of the deceased.
The โคevacuated โฃguests were offered choice accommodations in nearby hotels. Authorities have stated the hotel Grand Hilal will remain closed until aโฃ full โsafety inspection is completed and any necessary repairs are made. this incident follows a similar,though non-fatal,carbon monoxide scare at a hotel โขin Antalya earlier this year,raising questions aboutโ regulatory โoversight of tourist accommodations in Turkey.