Stories from Turkey

Data from the Occupational Safety Council indicates that 2,105 workers died in 2025. Traffic accidents were the leading cause of death, claiming 466 lives.

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş stated that Israel targeting the Sumut Flotilla constitutes an open war crime against humanity. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the raid conducted by Israeli soldiers on the Global Water Flotilla. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the transfer of 22 Italian activists to an Israeli vessel heading toward Greece. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated the flotilla was linked to networks close to Hamas. Prime Minister Netanyahu commented on the operation on social media, praising the special forces involved. Netanyahu claimed the flotilla was linked to Hamas, while activists responded by stating they would continue to monitor Gaza via YouTube. The detained group includes more than 170 pro-Palestinian activists, specifically including four New Zealanders.

The Turkish Grand National Assembly has unanimously approved a motion regarding a maritime mission. The mandate said that operations will take place in international waters.

Authorities collected blood, nail, and hair samples from Bedriye Doku and Halid Doku, the parents of a missing person in Gulistan. The samples were taken as part of an ongoing investigation. This follows a week of detailed forensic work conducted in Istanbul and Ankara. DNA samples were collected from the father of Gül, a university student who disappeared six years ago in Tunceli. The samples will be compared against findings recovered from the vehicle of the governor's son. Investigators are looking into a criminal network allegedly involved in deleting hospital records and SIM cards related to the case. The investigation is being conducted in Erzurum. DNA samples were collected from Gulistan's mother and father to be compared with traces found in the vehicle of detained suspect Mustafa Türkay.

The Ministry of National Defense announced that General Mete Kus has been removed from his position due to disciplinary reasons. He has been placed under the command of the Air Force. The announcement follows an incident involving the flight of a Skorsky-type helicopter.

This administrative change alters their regulatory status regarding international commerce operations. Minister Bolat stated that the multilateral trade system requires fundamental reforms. This move follows previous regulatory adjustments to the sector's capital structures.

Istanbul Governor's office announced that Taksim Square and surrounding roads will be closed to May Day labor and solidarity celebrations. Police are directing citizens to alternative routes near Taksim Square. The M2 metro line is affected at Taksim, Şişhane, and Osmanbey stations. Reporter Arzukaya reported from Saraybahçe Boulevard that many streets are currently under orders and blocked by police barriers. Security measures are at a high level in the area to manage May Day celebrations. Authorized unions are scheduled to make announcements at Cumhuriyet Anıtı. The Governor's Office has directed citizens wishing to participate in celebrations to these ten specific points. Previous years saw fatalities during demonstrations, including 34 deaths in a past event. As of the report, crowds have not yet formed due to cold, rainy weather and the early hour.

Turkey reported 3,019,000 tourists visited in March, an increase from 2,995,000 during the same period last year. Total revenue for the period reached $9.896 billion. This represents a 4 percent increase in both visitor numbers and revenue compared to the previous year. The average length of stay for tourists was 11 days. German, Russian, and Bulgarian tourists were the most frequent visitors. This growth occurred despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The increase is noted as being lower than it would have been without the impact of the war.

Turkey is increasing maternity leave duration from 16 weeks to 24 weeks. Additionally, measures will be taken to prevent children under 15 from being registered as social dependents. The Hizmet-Is union is currently the largest labor union with 276,000 members. The legislation requires digital platforms to implement age verification systems and mandates that game providers rate games according to age criteria. Under these new regulations, social media platforms must implement age verification systems. Additionally, game providers are now required to present games with age-appropriate ratings. Individuals whose leave period has already expired as of the law's effective date may request an additional eight weeks of maternity leave. Paternity leave has also been increased from five to ten days. The law prohibits sex offenders from working in businesses with high concentrations of children.

Istanbul authorities have banned meetings and marches in Beyoğlu, Şişli, Beşiktaş, and Fatih for May Day.