---
title: İsmail Kefal
slug: ismail-kefal-9e949
url: /detay/ismail-kefal-9e949
type: biography
language: English
entity:
  primary: İsmail Kefal
  type: biography
  categories:
    - name: General Knowledge
      slug: genel-kultur
      url: /kategori/genel-kultur
    - name: Biography And Autobiography
      slug: biyografi-ve-otobiyografi
      url: /kategori/biyografi-ve-otobiyografi
  tags:
    - StruggleForDemocracy
    - FatihSultanMehmetBridge
    - 15JulyMartyrsBridge
    - CivilResistance
    - LoveOfCountry
    - Our Martyrs
    - 15July
    - Heroism
    - Giresun
    - Tirebolu
    - Martyrdom
author: Nursena Güller
created_at: 2026-07-12T12:48:00.141143+03:00
updated_at: 2026-07-12T12:48:00.141153+03:00
image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/07/12/itt8d8AtXWZfeT5gJ5Ir19VAacxHcnl9.png
---

# İsmail Kefal

> İsmail Kefal (1 January 1984 – 15 July 2016) was a Turkish citizen who was martyred on the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü during the 15 July 2016 coup attempt

<!-- CONTEXT: KURE Information Cards for "İsmail Kefal" -->

## KURE Information Cards

### KURE Information Card: İsmail Kefal

![](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/07/11/f6SIHHRdKVwsHjAsK1H6J14gJLuFeeja.png)
*İsmail Kefal*

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Date of Birth | 1 January 1984 |
| Place of Birth | Giresun |
| Date of Martyrdom | 15 July 2016 |
| Place of Martyrdom | Istanbul Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge |
| Father | Murat Kefal |
| Mother | Nurten Kefal |
| Profession | Garson |
| Place of Burial | Giresun / Tirebolu / Karademir Village |

<!-- CONTEXT: Article Content for "İsmail Kefal" -->

## Article Content

**İsmail Kefal** (1 January 1984, Giresun – 15 July 2016, Istanbul) was a civilian who lost his life on the [15 July 2016 coup attempt](/en/detay/15-temmuz-darbe-girisimi-8febf/llms.txt) on the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü. Kefal, who worked as a waiter, sustained fatal injuries while attempting to stop the advance of a tank on the night of the coup attempt. Following his wishes, his body was buried in Karademir Village, part of the Tirebolu district of Giresun.

### **Life**

İsmail Kefal was born on 1 January 1984 in **Giresun**. He spent his childhood years in Giresun. After the death of his father **Murat Kefal** in 2001, he contributed to the livelihood of his mother **Nurten Kefal** and his sister. At the age of twenty-one he moved to Istanbul and began working as a waiter at a hotel. Kefal lived in the Beykoz district of Istanbul and was unmarried.

![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/07/11/obnN9Kpu92BNTT63mq0xNqfMhbevi3fl.webp)
*Ismail Kefal's Mother, Nurten Kefal(AA)*

### **15 July 2016 Coup Attempt and Martyrdom**

On the night of 15 July 2016, after learning of the coup attempt, İsmail Kefal went to the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Köprüsü with friends. He was among the first groups to reach the bridge. He recorded events on the bridge using his mobile phone and broadcast live on his social media account, urging citizens to take to the streets. He climbed onto the tank to block its advance and sustained severe injuries after colliding with the barrel of the tank, resulting in his death. His family was informed of his martyrdom around 02:30 that same night.

![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/07/11/ww9YFyvw5zW3BUMkfa12KhmkO3zbiCCC.jpeg)
*The Tomb of İsmail Kefal (Tirebolu Kaymakamlığı)*

### Burial and Perpetuation of His Name

İsmail Kefal’s body was taken from the Forensic Medicine Institution on 16 July 2016 and buried in **Karademir Village**, part of the Tirebolu district of Giresun, next to his father Murat Kefal, as per his wishes. His name was given to an Anatolian Imam Hatip High School in his hometown of Giresun.

<!-- CONTEXT: Academic Sources and References for "İsmail Kefal" -->

## Academic Sources and References

1. 15 July Heroes of Anatolia. "İsmail Kefal." Accessed July 10, 2026. http://www.15temmuzkahramanlari.com/tr/sehitler/ismail-kefal/531864
2. 15 July Martyrs. "İsmail Kefal." Accessed July 10, 2026. https://15temmuzsehitleri.com/tr/sehitlerimiz-111
3. 15 Temmuz. "İsmail Kefal." Accessed July 10, 2026. https://15temmuz.gov.tr/kahraman/ismail-kefal/biyografi
4. T.C. Ministry of Culture and Tourism. "İsmail Kefal." Accessed July 10, 2026. https://hafiza15temmuz.ktb.gov.tr/98-ismail-kefal
5. T.C.Tirebolu Kaymakamlığı Governorship. "15 Temmuz Şehidimiz İsmail KEFAL Kabri Başında Anıldı." July 15, 2022. Accessed July 10, 2026. https://www.tirebolu.gov.tr/15-temmuz-sehidimiz-ismail-kefal-kabri-basinda-anildi
6. Yeni Şafak. "İsmail Kefal." Accessed July 10, 2026. https://www.yenisafak.com/15temmuz/ismail-kefal-kisi-detay
7. Çıtlak, Atakan. "15 Temmuz Şehidinin Annesi Oğluyla Gurur Duyuyor." Anadolu Ajansı, October 3, 2016. Accessed July 10, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/yasam/15-temmuz-sehidinin-annesi-ogluyla-gurur-duyuyor/657185