Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced Wednesday that two people have been detained as part of an expanding investigation into the death of Manisa Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek, who died after suffering an electrical shock at his home.
An expert report submitted to prosecutors identified six separate failures in the pool’s electrical infrastructure and safety systems.
Zeyrek, 48, died on June 9, three days after being electrocuted while inspecting a malfunction in the pool equipment area at his residence in Manisa, western Turkey.
Authorities launched an investigation immediately after the incident, led by one deputy chief prosecutor and two prosecutors under the Manisa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the justice minister, 12 people have so far provided statements in the case, including technical personnel and first responders.
Tunç said two individuals are currently in custody as the investigation enters its next phase.
A technical inspection carried out by a panel of court-appointed electrical and mechanical engineers found that the pool’s pump motor was already malfunctioning at the time of the incident.
The report also found that a residual current device (RCD) — a safety component designed to automatically cut off power in the event of electrical faults — was completely missing from the main electrical entrance of the residence.
Inspectors reported visible rust and corrosion on all metal equipment near the pool due to prolonged exposure to moisture and lack of maintenance.
Cables and connection points were exposed to water and humidity, increasing the likelihood of current leakage, according to the expert findings.
Another RCD inside the pool’s dedicated power room was found to be corroded and defective, failing to trip during the incident.
The expert team also concluded that the physical distance between the pool and the electrical utility room did not meet internationally accepted safety standards.
Minister Tunç emphasized that the investigation is continuing based on the technical findings and that further legal action may follow.
The late mayor was buried on Tuesday in a well-attended funeral, drawing thousands of mourners and national leaders.
Zeyrek was elected mayor in March 2024 in a landslide victory for the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).