Minibus owner arrested after deadly crash in Turkey’s Marmaris

MUĞLA

The owner of a minibus responsible for causing the deaths of 24 people in a crash in southwestern Turkey has been arrested, according to security sources.        

The minibus veered off a cliff on May 13 in the Muğla province, while heading to a Mother’s Day event in the resort town of Marmaris from the Buca district of the western province of İzmir.        

According to the security sources, the owner of the minibus, identified as Bülent C., was arrested on May 13 on charges of “causing the death of more than one with reckless homicide.”     
   
“According to our latest assessment, 24 people lost their lives and 10 others were injured in the incident,” Muğla Governor Amir Çiçek said at a press conference.        

Çiçek said the bus “most probably” had a brake failure and that officials would investigate.
        
The accident took place at the Sakargeçidi pass on the Muğla-Antalya highway.        

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those who were injured.        

Pakistan also extended condolences after the accident.       
 
“The government and people of Pakistan convey their profound sympathies and condolences over the loss of precious lives and pray for the swiftest recovery of those injured,” said a statement from Pakistan’s foreign ministry.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the brotherly people of Turkey, the victims of the tragic accident, and bereaved families,” it added.      
  
In addition, the head of the EU Delegation to Turkey, Ambassador Christian Berger, also offered condolences.     
   
“I am extending mine and the entire delegation’s heartfelt condolences for the loss of lives in this tragic accident and wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” he said in a statement.        

The minibus’ passengers, mostly women and children, were all tourists from Turkey.