Background
The Mesudiye area of Milas, in Turkey's Muğla Province, is popular for day trips and overnight stays on boats. B.T., a 35-year-old woman from the Efeler district of Aydın, travelled there with friends for a short break in February 2026.
What happened
According to press reports, the group spent the night of 7 February 2026 on a rented boat. B.T. went to the cabin saying she felt unwell. The following afternoon her friends noticed she was not moving and called 112. Medical teams confirmed she had died. The death was initially recorded as suspicious.
Investigation and legal process
Her family and lawyers called for an effective investigation, and the Aydın Bar Association said it was following the case closely. The lawyers alleged that camera footage from the scene had been deleted.
A Forensic Medicine report released in April 2026 attributed the death to carbon monoxide poisoning. The boat's owner, who is also reported to be responsible for its maintenance, was then detained by Milas gendarmerie. After the prosecutor's office appealed, a court ordered his arrest, and he was sent to a Milas court to be tried on a charge of causing death by negligence. He has not been convicted; checks for technical faults and negligence are continuing.
Where it stands today
The case is a reminder of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in enclosed spaces such as boat cabins and caravans. Experts advise care with generators and fuel heaters in closed cabins, carrying a carbon monoxide alarm, and asking for equipment maintenance records when chartering a boat for overnight stays. This page is written in memory of B.T.