The fire broke out in a perfume store in Dilovasian industrial area in northwestern Turkey, and spread rapidly throughout the facilities. The six fatalities were inside the building when the fire started, while fire crews worked for hours to control the flames.
Although the fire was finally extinguished, the structure of the building was seriously damaged and rescue teams continue to inspect the area due to the risk of collapse.
Seven people were injured, some of them workers who were at work at the time of the incident. All were transferred to nearby hospitals, where they receive medical attention.
Erdogan expresses regret and announces investigation
The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoganexpressed his condolences to the families of the victims through a message published on his official X account (formerly Twitter).
I wish God’s mercy to our brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the fire that broke out in a warehouse in Dilovası district of Kocaeli.
Our relevant units, especially our Ministry of Labor and Social Security, have started their investigations regarding the fire.
Died in the fire…
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) November 8, 2025
“I pray to God to have mercy on our brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the fire that broke out in a warehouse in the Dilovasi district of Kocaeli,” the president said.
Erdogan assured that the competent agencies, including the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, have launched an exhaustive investigation into the origin of the fire and possible responsibilities.
Arrests in the framework of the investigation
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed that the Gebze Prosecutor General’s Office has launched a judicial investigation and that arrest warrants have already been issued for three suspects related to the event.
In parallel, the Minister of Labor traveled to the affected area to coordinate rescue efforts and assess the damage, in addition to visiting the injured hospitalized.
The Ministry of Labor reported in a statement that it has assigned two chief inspectors and one additional inspector to the case, in charge of supervising each phase of the investigation and ensuring that workplace safety protocols are met.
“The entire process is being meticulously monitored,” the department stressed.
This new workplace accident in Türkiye once again puts safety in industrial environments in focus, especially in areas with a high concentration of chemical and manufacturing factories. Dilovasi, one of the country’s main industrial centers, has already recorded similar episodes in previous years due to deficiencies in protection measures.
While the expert work continues, local and national authorities have promised “zero tolerance” for any negligence that may have contributed to the tragedy.
