Kahramanmaraş Ayser Çalık Middle School Attack (2026)

Kahramanmaraş School Attack (2026) is an armed attack that occurred on 15 April 2026 at Ayser Çalık Middle School in the Onikişubat district of Kahramanmaraş. In the incident, nine people lost their lives, eight of them students and one a teacher, and thirteen others were injured. It was reported that six of the injured were in intensive care and three were in critical condition. The attack was carried out by İsa Aras Mersinli, a 14-year-old eighth-grade student at the school, who died during the incident. Authorities stated that the attack was an individual act with no connection to terrorism.

According to the initial findings of the investigation, the weapons used in the attack belonged to the attacker’s father, and the suspect carried out the attack with five firearms.

Following the incident, judicial and administrative investigations were launched, and education was suspended for two days in Kahramanmaraş. It was also noted that the attack occurred one day after a similar school attack in Şanlıurfa, drawing public attention. Numerous prosecutors and inspectors were assigned to the case, and it was announced that all aspects of the incident would be thoroughly examined.

Course of the Incident

The attack occurred on 15 April 2026 at approximately 13:30 at Ayser Çalık Middle School. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi stated that the school operated on a morning and afternoon shift system, and the attack took place as morning students were dispersing. According to his statement, the 14-year-old eighth-grade student, who continued attending school in the afternoon, entered two classrooms with firearms brought from home and opened fire randomly.

Kahramanmaraş Governor Mükerrem Ünlüer stated that the attacker carried the weapons in a backpack. In his statement, he said: “An eighth-grade child brought firearms in his backpack and entered two classrooms where students were present, firing without targeting anyone, resulting in deaths and injuries. Our investigations are ongoing. We hope our injured siblings recover as soon as possible. There are no other negative incidents in any other school. Reports circulating on social media on this matter are not true.”

Ünlüer also confirmed that the attacker died during the incident and that the judicial process is ongoing. He added: “He also died. During the chaos, he was shot. It is not yet clear whether he shot himself intentionally or during the intervention. The eighth-grade student who caused the incident is our student, and his father is a former police officer. We believe he took his father’s weapons. He came with five firearms and seven magazines, entering two classrooms.”

On 16 April, it was reported that during the attack, a teacher charged at the attacker to stop him, and simultaneously, a parent intervened with a knife, while other teachers and parents attempted to restrain the attacker and bring him to the ground to gain control. Some parents reportedly attempted lynching, but police units arriving at the scene took the attacker into a classroom to secure him and hand him over to security forces.

N.B., one of the parents who intervened, provided detailed accounts of the incident. N.B. stated that he was at home during the attack and heard gunshots and hammer sounds around 13:30. When he went to the balcony and saw students fleeing the school, he immediately ran to the school. He described the scene: “Since my children were at school, I ran there. I entered the building through the back door near the cafeteria. When I came up the back stairs, I saw a person lying on the ground and several people trying to hold him down.”

N.B. said he realized the person on the ground was the attacker and described the intervention as follows: “I went over to help and prevent him from harming others. The man had long hair and a hood over his head. I estimated his age to be around 25 to 30. He was very tall and large, but I did not see his face. When he tried to break free, I struck him once on the leg with a knife I did not know where I got. I do not know if I hit him. My intention was to prevent him from standing up and escaping to harm others.”

N.B. stated that despite the intervention, the attacker continued to resist, some parents tried to kick him, and his arms were being held. After security forces arrived, he described how the attacker was subdued: “At that moment, police officers arrived. I stood up, left the attacker to the police, and went to help the injured children in the classroom.”

It was reported that some parents attempted lynching, prompting police to move the attacker into a classroom to secure him. After the intervention, parents and school staff assisted the injured. Witness statements also included details of students who hid to survive. N.B. recounted his child’s experience: “My son said that when he heard the gunshots, he locked himself in the bathroom and stayed there. Later, when the teacher asked, ‘Is anyone in the bathroom?’ he came out and was safe.”

N.B. also stated that two students from his son’s class died in the attack, that he left the knife at the school, and that he did not have a knife when he left home.

The attack occurred one day after a similar school attack in Şanlıurfa.

Fatalities and Injured

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, alongside Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu, and Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, announced at Sütçü İmam University Hospital that nine people lost their lives, eight students and one teacher, and thirteen others were injured. Of the injured, six were in intensive care and three were in critical condition.

The victims of the attack were identified as students Yusuf Tarık Gül, Belinay Nur Boyraz, Kerem Erdem Güngör, Zeynep Kılıç, Bayram Nabi Şişik, Şuranur Sevgi Kazıcı, Adnan Göktürk Yeşil, Furkan Sancak Balal, and mathematics teacher Ayla Kara.

Çiftçi’s statement included: “At the exact moment morning students were dispersing, one of our own eighth-grade students, aged 14, who continued attending school in the afternoon, entered two classrooms with firearms brought from home and opened fire randomly, committing a massacre at the school. As a result of this tragedy, we have nine fatalities, eight students and one teacher. In addition, we have thirteen injured. Six of the injured are in intensive care, and three are in critical condition.”

Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu confirmed that the injured were receiving treatment in hospitals and that their conditions were being closely monitored by relevant authorities. In a subsequent statement, Memişoğlu announced that eleven of the injured had been discharged, while nine patients continued to receive treatment in hospitals.

The Attacker and Arrests

The perpetrator of the attack was İsa Aras Mersinli, an eighth-grade student aged 14 at Ayser Çalık Middle School. It was announced that the attacker died during the incident. Initial reports indicated that he died after being shot during the chaos, and it was unclear whether this was a suicide attempt or occurred during the intervention. Later statements clarified that during the intervention by teachers and parents, the attacker was neutralized and brought under control, then handed over to security forces.

The firearms belonged to the attacker’s police officer father. It was confirmed that the attacker arrived at school with firearms carried in his backpack and was carrying a total of five firearms and seven magazines. Following the incident, the attacker’s father, Uğur Mersinli, and mother, Peyman Pınar Mersinli, were taken into custody.

Actions Against the Attacker’s Family

The father of İsa Aras Mersinli, who carried out the school attack in Kahramanmaraş, Uğur Mersinli, was taken into custody and later arrested as part of the ongoing investigation. The General Directorate of Security stated that judicial proceedings are underway based on evidence gathered during the investigation.

The statement included: “The father of the perpetrator, U.M., was taken into custody on 15 April and subsequently arrested by the judicial authorities. Searches conducted at his residence and in his vehicle yielded digital materials, which were seized and are under examination. Forensic investigations at the crime scene have been completed, and all evidence, including camera footage, is being meticulously evaluated. Initial findings indicate no connection to terrorism, and the attack is assessed as an individual act.”

Details of the Attacker’s Father’s Statement

The statement made by Uğur Mersinli, the father of İsa Aras Mersinli who carried out the school attack in Kahramanmaraş and was arrested, was made public at the Peace Criminal Court. In his statement, he confirmed that the firearms used in the attack belonged to him and that his son took some of them to carry out the act.

Mersinli stated: “The firearms and ammunition used by my son İsa Aras in the incident belong to me. I have seven legally registered firearms and two hunting rifles, all registered in my name. My son İsa Aras took five of my firearms to the scene. My firearms are stored in my bedroom, and all weapons and ammunition are kept locked in a Maraş safe. Magazines are not attached to the firearms. When I need to carry a firearm, I retrieve the weapon and magazine separately from different lockers. The Maraş safes are self-locking. İsa Aras learned how to open them, but I do not recall ever opening them in front of him. The safes are always locked.”

Mersinli also stated: “On the day of the incident, I did not know how my son opened the safes. He may have learned how to open them from the internet. My son İsa Aras was an excellent internet user—he even had his own VPN. He spoke English as if it were his native language. He was a very intelligent child. He experienced typical adolescent and exam-related stress. I took him to psychologists at the police station, but they found no negative issues and said he was very intelligent. For about two months, I also took him to a private specialist psychologist who noted that he had some difficulty integrating into society and needed monitoring, possibly requiring psychiatric treatment in the future. He last visited the psychologist three weeks ago, but recently avoided going.”

Regarding his son’s digital habits, Mersinli said: “Because my son used his computer and phone in English mode, and I do not speak English, I could not monitor what he was doing online. Although I did not know his username, I often saw him playing war games. When I asked him what he was doing, he would dismiss me with vague answers like ‘Oh, you know,’ and I could not get a clear response.”

Regarding his interest in firearms, he said: “Previously, my son İsa had no interest in firearms. About a month ago, he asked me if I could arrange for him to shoot like his friends. Around the same time, I left a firearm briefly in the bedroom on a shelf and noticed him reaching for it. I scolded him. Realizing his interest, I spoke to him about our firearm culture, explaining that firearms are considered honor. I also told him that when I retire, I would give him one of my firearms. My intention was to redirect his enthusiasm. I told him that if he maintains a clean record and attends a good school, we could get him a firearm. He responded by saying that in America, everyone can get a firearm. I explained to him who can legally obtain firearms in our country.”

Mersinli also stated that shortly before the incident, he took his son to a shooting range: “My son said his friends had shot firearms and asked me if I would let him shoot too. This conversation likely occurred last Thursday or Friday. I told him I would take him to the shooting range on a sunny day next week. On Monday of that week, I went to the police shooting range and fired my own firearm. I let my son fire a few shots. I showed him the target and explained that firearms must be aimed and not fired randomly. I took several photos and videos of him shooting, intending to preserve them as memories and to dampen his enthusiasm. I later sent the photos to my son İsa via WhatsApp. According to the police, he showed these photos to his friends, who were astonished.”

Investigation Process

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that an investigation was immediately launched by the Kahramanmaraş Public Prosecutor’s Office. Minister Gürlek stated: “Three deputy public prosecutors and four public prosecutors have been assigned to the investigation. Our chief prosecutor and the assigned prosecutors are continuing their investigations at the crime scene. A publication ban has been imposed to ensure the integrity of the investigation, and the media must strictly respect the confidentiality of the investigation. All necessary information regarding the investigation will be provided by the competent authorities.”

The Kahramanmaraş Public Prosecutor’s Office also announced that the investigation is being conducted thoroughly and comprehensively, and that due to the sharing of images and videos of the incident despite the publication ban, a separate investigation has been initiated. The prosecutor’s office stated: “Despite the publication ban issued by judicial authorities, images and videos of the incident have been shared on certain social media platforms and websites. A separate investigation has been initiated against individuals or groups who have violated the publication ban, jeopardized the confidentiality of the investigation, and aimed to disrupt public order through these postings. It is of great importance that all individuals and institutions strictly comply with the publication ban to protect public order, the rights of victims, and ensure the proper conduct of the judicial process. The investigation is being conducted meticulously in all its aspects.”

Additionally, the Ministry of Justice announced that digital platform postings following the incident are being closely monitored, coordination has been established among 171 serious crime public prosecutor’s offices across all 81 provinces, and immediate judicial actions have been initiated against individuals who, primarily on social media platforms such as Telegram, share content glorifying violence, justifying the crime and the perpetrator, or inciting fear and panic.

In this context, it was stated that “virtual patrols” are being actively conducted in coordination with relevant law enforcement units, and that content constituting a crime is being rapidly identified, with necessary judicial processes, including detentions and searches, being carried out meticulously against those responsible.

Administrative Review and Appointments

The Ministry of Interior appointed four chief inspectors of the Ministry of Interior and four chief inspectors of police to investigate all aspects of the incident. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi also noted that the Ministry of Justice had appointed three deputy public prosecutors and four public prosecutors, and the Ministry of National Education had made necessary appointments of chief inspectors. Çiftçi stated: “The Ministry of Interior has appointed four chief inspectors of the Ministry of Interior and four chief inspectors of police. The Ministry of Justice has appointed three deputy public prosecutors and four public prosecutors to investigate the incident in all its dimensions. The Ministry of National Education has also appointed the necessary chief inspectors. Thus, we will examine the incident in all its aspects.”

The Ministry of Interior also stated that Minister Çiftçi immediately traveled to the scene, that the process is being conducted under the coordination of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and that strict adherence to the publication ban is essential for the investigation to proceed properly.

The Ministry of National Education stated that the process has been closely monitored by the ministry since the first moments of the incident, that Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin and accompanying officials traveled to the region, and that four ministry chief inspectors were dispatched to Kahramanmaraş. The statement read: “Since the first moments of the incident, the process has been closely monitored by our ministry, and all necessary interventions have been carried out in a coordinated manner by our relevant units. Our Minister of National Education, Mr. Yusuf Tekin, and accompanying officials immediately traveled to the region upon learning of the incident. Additionally, four ministry chief inspectors have been assigned to Kahramanmaraş to examine the incident in all its aspects. We wish swift recovery for our injured students receiving treatment in hospitals and pray for mercy for our teachers and students who lost their lives. A detailed statement regarding this heinous incident will be shared with the public in due course. May our heads remain strong.”

Suspension of Education

Following the incident, education was suspended for two days in Kahramanmaraş. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi recalled that education had been suspended in Şanlıurfa until the weekend due to the previous school attack and announced a similar decision in Kahramanmaraş. Accordingly, education was suspended for two days across the entire province.

Çiftçi stated that the decision was made as part of the security and administrative measures following the incident and indicated that school safety measures would be reviewed again. He also noted that relevant institutions were working in coordination and that ensuring the safety of educational institutions was a top priority.

Ministers’ Visits to the Region and Hospitals

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu, and Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin immediately traveled to Kahramanmaraş after the incident. The ministers visited injured students being treated at Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Hospital and received updates from doctors on the condition of patients in intensive care.

It was reported that the treatment of the injured was being closely monitored and that the relevant ministries were coordinating their efforts.

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi stated that he and the other ministers immediately traveled to the region after the incident and said: “I offer condolences to our beloved nation. I pray for swift recovery for all our injured receiving treatment in hospitals. Upon learning of the incident, we immediately traveled to the scene with our Minister of National Education, Minister of Health, and Minister of Justice. Our Minister of Family Affairs is also on the way and will arrive soon. Our Members of Parliament are here. We have been continuously informing our President since the beginning of the incident.”

Funerals of those who lost their lives in the Kahramanmaraş school attack, 16 April 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)

Funerals of the Deceased

The funerals of the students Yusuf Tarık Gül, Belinay Nur Boyraz, Kerem Erdem Güngör, Zeynep Kılıç, Bayram Nabi Şişik, Şuranur Sevgi Kazıcı, Adnan Göktürk Yeşil, Furkan Sancak Balal and mathematics teacher Ayla Kara, who lost their lives in the armed attack at Ayser Çalık Middle School in Onikişubat, Kahramanmaraş, were held on 16 April 2026 in various locations following funeral ceremonies.

The funeral of 11-year-old fifth-grade student Yusuf Tarık Gül was transported from the Kahramanmaraş Forensic Medicine Institution to Karacasu Kırım Cemetery. Local officials, members of parliament, and numerous citizens attended the ceremony.

The funerals of Belinay Nur Boyraz (11), Kerem Erdem Güngör (11), Zeynep Kılıç (11), and Bayram Nabi Şişik (11) were transported from the Kahramanmaraş Forensic Medicine Institution to Abdulhamithan Mosque. Family members were seen weeping over the coffins. The funerals were buried at Şeyh Adil Cemetery after a funeral prayer led by the President of the Directorate of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş. Ministers, members of parliament, local officials, and numerous citizens attended the ceremony.

Şuranur Sevgi Kazıcı’s funeral was transported from the Forensic Medicine Institution morgue to Duraklı Mosque, where a funeral prayer was held, followed by burial at Şeyh Adil Cemetery. Adnan Göktürk Yeşil’s funeral was held in Düziçi district of Osmaniye. His body, wrapped in the Turkish flag, was taken to Haruniye Mosque, where a funeral prayer was held, followed by burial at Yeşiller Family Cemetery.

Furkan Sancak Balal’s funeral was transported from the Kahramanmaraş Forensic Medicine Institution to Külliye Mosque in Afşin district, where a funeral prayer was held before burial.

The funeral of mathematics teacher Ayla Kara (55) was transported from the Kahramanmaraş Forensic Medicine Institution to Çarşı Mosque in Tekir Neighborhood. After the funeral prayer, she was buried at Tekir Neighborhood Cemetery. Representatives from the education community, public officials, and citizens attended the ceremony.

Funerals of those who lost their lives in the Kahramanmaraş school attack, 16 April 2026 - (Anadolu Ajansı)

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Statement

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a statement regarding the armed attack in Kahramanmaraş on his social media account. Erdoğan said: “I extend my condolences to all our citizens and families affected by the armed attack in Kahramanmaraş, which deeply saddened all of Türkiye. Unfortunately, we lost our bright children and a dedicated educator in this attack. We pray for mercy for our departed loved ones from the Almighty, and we offer patience to grieving families and condolences to the education community. Our public prosecutors, Ministry of Interior inspectors, and education inspectors are conducting the investigation meticulously. The incident will certainly be fully clarified.””

Erdoğan noted that the Ministers of National Education, Family and Social Services, Interior, Justice, and Health had traveled to Kahramanmaraş to assist the injured and affected, share their grief, and personally oversee the process. He added: “It is both a moral and spiritual duty not to exploit this attack, which has struck the heart of our nation, for political polemics or ratings concerns. There is no politics in grief. I request all segments of society, especially media professionals, to show the necessary sensitivity regarding the gravity of this incident. During this period, I urge our nation not to believe false or misleading reports or disinformation, and to rely on official announcements by relevant public institutions. Once again, I offer condolences to our children, families, and teachers.

Official Statements

Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM), Numan Kurtulmuş, made statements regarding the attack during the 152nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel and Conference Center. Expressing sorrow over the news received during a successful event, Kurtulmuş said: “Our hearts are bleeding. We are truly in deep sorrow. May our nation’s head remain strong. Three of our beloved children and one teacher lost their lives in this attack. May Allah grant them mercy. Innocent young children have passed away.”

“The truth behind this incident, the attacker’s primary motivations, will be revealed. We know that the Kahramanmaraş prosecutor’s office has immediately launched an investigation with a large team of prosecutors and deputy prosecutors. May our nation’s head remain strong. I offer condolences to all our children, students, and the education community. We are facing a heavy and difficult test. I hope the full truth of the incident, in all its nakedness, will be revealed.”

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, in his social media statement, expressed sorrow over the school attack in Kahramanmaraş. Cevdet Yılmaz said: “Our Ministries of Interior, Justice, and National Education, among all relevant institutions, have immediately launched comprehensive investigations and inquiries to clarify all aspects of the incident. We pray for mercy for our teacher and students who lost their lives in this heinous incident, offer patience to their families, and wish swift recovery to our injured.”

Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran stated that the incident deeply saddened everyone and added:

“All aspects of the incident are being meticulously examined by our relevant institutions, and all necessary steps are being taken. Our security, health, and education units are actively engaged on the ground, and every stage of the process is being managed in coordination. It is of great importance that our society acts with common sense and avoids panic in the face of such incidents. Given that this incident directly affects our children and families, utmost care must be exercised in language and messaging, particularly in traditional and digital media. Avoiding expressions that could intensify trauma or deepen fear and anxiety is a critical responsibility for safeguarding our children’s psychological well-being.”

Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu, in his social media post, said: “We pray for mercy from Allah for our citizens who lost their lives in the armed attack at a school in Kahramanmaraş, and offer patience to their grieving families. The treatment of our injured continues in our hospitals, and we are closely monitoring their conditions. I extend my condolences to all citizens affected by the incident. May our nation’s head remain strong.”

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, in her social media statement, said: “We pray for mercy from Allah for our citizens who lost their lives in the heinous incident at a middle school in Onikişubat, Kahramanmaraş, and offer patience to their families. We wish our injured students and teachers a swift recovery. I would like to emphasize that the incident is being meticulously examined in all its aspects and is being closely monitored by our relevant ministries. As the Ministry, we are with our children and families receiving treatment in hospitals with our psychosocial support teams. May our country and nation’s head remain strong.”

Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin, in his social media statement, said the heart-wrenching incidents in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş have deeply shaken the entire country. “I must express with great sorrow that in these heinous incidents, we lost our hopeful youth and a dedicated educator who devoted his sacred duty to education,” Tekin said, adding that the nation is in an immeasurable sorrow.

Tekin said: “To ensure that such incidents never occur again in our educational institutions, which have always been the finest examples of social harmony throughout our ancient civilization, we are resolutely taking the necessary steps with the Ministries of Interior, Justice, and Family and Social Services to implement a comprehensive security approach that covers all digital and physical threats.”

This pain, which has united our nation in the deepest emotions, has touched every heart. Indeed, this process will be followed in every detail, and every step, care, and attention necessary for the peace of our children, the well-being of our teachers, and the tranquility of our educational environments will be taken with the utmost diligence. Let our nation have no doubt that no aspect of this shared grief will be left in darkness. We pray for mercy from Allah for our teachers and students who lost their lives, patience for their grieving families and every member of the education community, and swift recovery for our injured. May our nation’s and education community’s head remain strong.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, in his social media statement, said: “We pray for mercy from Allah for our citizens who lost their lives in the armed attack at our school in Kahramanmaraş, offer condolences to their families, and wish swift recovery to our injured citizens. This heinous attack is being closely monitored by our relevant institutions in all its aspects, and necessary steps are being resolutely taken to clarify the incident.”

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, in his social media post, said: “We pray for mercy from Allah for the students and our dedicated teacher who lost their lives in the heinous attack in Kahramanmaraş, and wish swift recovery to our injured. We share the grief of our families from the bottom of our hearts and want them to know we stand with them. No words can ease our sorrow. In these difficult days, we will hold each other tighter as a nation. May our heads remain strong.”

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, in his social media statement, said: “The armed attack at our school in Kahramanmaraş has deeply saddened our country and nation. The state’s relevant units are meticulously examining this heinous incident. We pray for mercy from Allah for our teacher and students who lost their lives, offer patience and condolences to their grieving families, and pray for swift recovery for our injured citizens.”

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, in his social media statement, said: “The heinous incident at our school in Kahramanmaraş has deeply saddened us all. We pray for mercy from Allah for our teacher and students who lost their lives, offer patience and condolences to their families, and wish swift recovery to our injured citizens. Our ministries and relevant institutions continue their efforts to uncover all aspects of the incident. May our nation’s head remain strong.”

Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat, in his social media statement, said: “I have learned with deep sorrow of the tragic incident at our school in Kahramanmaraş. Our relevant institutions, primarily the Ministries of Interior, Justice, and National Education, have immediately initiated the necessary investigations and inquiries to uncover all aspects of the incident. We pray for mercy from Allah for our precious teacher and children, offer patience and condolences to their grieving families, and pray for swift recovery for our injured citizens.”

MHP General Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, in a written statement regarding the armed attacks in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş, said: “It is clear that these heinous incidents in Şanlıurfa yesterday and Kahramanmaraş today cannot be dismissed with shallow, superficial, or one-dimensional assessments. It is imperative that these grave developments be addressed with a calm, rational, and multidimensional perspective to fully reveal their causes, consequences, and underlying dynamics.”

Bahçeli stated that uncontrolled digitalization, the unchecked influence of social media, and deepening peer bullying have caused irreparable damage to children’s psyches. “Today, our children are growing up in an artificial climate shaped by social media, where emotions are triggered and consumed within seconds by a swipe of a finger. These rapid emotional shifts—from joy to anger, from compassion to violence—blur the boundaries between reality and the virtual world in developing minds. A dangerous misconception is forming that lives in the virtual realm, which can be easily altered, deleted, and reconstructed, can be similarly manipulated in the real world.”

Bahçeli emphasized that adolescents, under the influence of this virtual flow, increasingly tend to simplify reality, trivialize consequences, and act on impulsive reactions. He warned that if left uncontrolled, this situation creates a foundation for irreversible outcomes, clearly demonstrating that the issue has become a global threat, as similar incidents have occurred in other societies. “It must not be forgotten that a human being is not only a biological entity but also a personality shaped by cultural and national values,” Bahçeli said, adding: “When digitalization erodes these values and weakens the social fabric, such tragedies become inevitable. Therefore, viewing the issue solely through the lens of the perpetrator leads to an incomplete understanding of the truth. The real questions to be asked are the social environment, digitalization, erosion of values, and uncontrolled influence fields that drive our children toward such dark acts. In such grave and sensitive incidents, it is vital that competent authorities carry out their duties without any pressure or direction, with calmness and state seriousness. Political commentary before the full clarification of the incident will only obscure the truth. If deemed necessary, evaluations should only be made after the process is complete. No one should turn such a heinous incident into daily political fodder or exploit grief. In light of all these observations, it is necessary to express the deep wound this tragic event has opened in our conscience.”

AK Party General Secretary Eyyüp Kadir İnan, in his social media post, said: “Our grief is immeasurable; our hearts are deeply wounded. We pray for mercy from Allah for our brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the heinous attack at our school in Kahramanmaraş. May their resting places be in paradise. May the heads of our grieving families, the education community, and our beloved nation remain strong. We pray for swift recovery for our injured brothers and sisters.”

Director of the Measurement, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM), Prof. Dr. Bayram Ali Ersoy, prayed for mercy from Allah for the teachers and students who lost their lives in the armed attacks and wished swift recovery for the injured. President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, regarding the armed attacks, said: “We are deeply saddened by the recent acts of violence in our country, particularly those targeting educational institutions, and we strongly condemn them.”

President of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), Mehmet Daniş, in his social media post, said: “We are deeply saddened by the heinous incident that has pierced our hearts. We pray for mercy from Allah for our citizens who lost their lives, offer patience to their grieving families, and wish swift recovery to our injured brothers and sisters. May our nation’s head remain strong.”

Emine Erdoğan, wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in her social media post, said: “The heinous incidents in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş have deeply wounded all our hearts. Today is a day when we must stand united as a nation. We pray for mercy from the Almighty for our departed loved ones, patience for their families, and swift recovery for our injured. May our nation’s head remain strong.”

Publication Ban

A publication ban was imposed by the 2nd Peace Criminal Court of Kahramanmaraş under decision number 2026/3569, citing the need to preserve the integrity of the investigation. RTÜK announced that the publication ban must not be violated, emphasizing that images from the crime scene must not be used, the privacy of victims’ families must be respected, and content that could negatively affect children’s mental health must be avoided.

RTÜK’s statement included: “In accordance with the 2026/3569 decision of the 2nd Peace Criminal Court of Kahramanmaraş, a publication ban has been issued by the Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the incident in Kahramanmaraş. Media organizations are strongly reminded to strictly comply with this court decision under Law No. 6112 and related regulations.”

RTÜK also announced that it is monitoring in real time any media organizations violating the publication ban and sharing visuals from the crime scene. The statement included: “It is essential that official announcements by authorities do not include images from the crime scene. Any publication or expert opinion that violates the court order, shares visuals from the crime scene, or attacks the privacy of victims’ families is being recorded. No tolerance will be shown toward this irresponsible media approach that disrupts public peace and negatively affects children’s mental health. The heaviest sanctions under Law No. 6112 will be immediately and resolutely applied against organizations that fail to comply with the ban. All media organizations are urgently required to fully comply with legal decisions and media principles immediately.”

International Reactions and Condolence Messages

President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Tufan Erhürman, in a statement on his social media accounts, said: “Our hearts ache for the children and teachers we lost in the armed attack at Ayser Çalık Middle School in Kahramanmaraş. We wish swift recovery to the injured, mercy from Allah for the deceased, and patience and condolences to their families and all of Türkiye.”

Chairman of the Assembly of the Republic, Ziya Öztürkler, in a written statement, expressed sorrow over the armed attack at a school in Kahramanmaraş and stated that the TRNC rejects all forms of violence. Öztürkler emphasized solidarity with Türkiye in his statement: “We learned with deep sorrow of the armed attack at Ayser Çalık Middle School in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. We pray for mercy from Allah for those who lost their lives, patience for their families, and condolences to our motherland Türkiye. We wish swift recovery to the injured. This painful event has deeply shaken us all.”

TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel also issued a condolence message regarding the school attack in Kahramanmaraş. In his message, Üstel stated that the attack in Kahramanmaraş saddened and deeply affected the TRNC as much as Türkiye, and conveyed condolences and solidarity to Türkiye. Üstel said: “We pray for mercy from Allah for our innocent teacher and students who lost their lives in this heinous incident, and offer condolences and patience to their families and the people of our motherland Türkiye.”

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a social media statement, offered “the deepest condolences and condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, to the government of Türkiye, and to its friendly people, and wishes swift recovery to all the injured.” The statement noted that Saudi Arabia stands in solidarity with Türkiye and its brotherly people.

According to Oman’s official news agency ONA, Oman issued a condolence message for those who lost their lives in the attack. The message conveyed condolences and solidarity to Türkiye and wished swift recovery to the injured. Jordan also conveyed its deepest condolences to the government and people of Türkiye due to the deaths in the attack. Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Fuad al-Majali, in a written statement, emphasized Jordan’s full solidarity with the government and people of Türkiye. While offering the deepest condolences and condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and to the government and friendly people of Türkiye, he also wished swift recovery to the injured.

Diplomatic missions and embassies operating in Türkiye issued condolence messages regarding the school attack in Kahramanmaraş. In a post by the Russian Embassy in Ankara, condolences were extended to the families of the deceased and wishes for swift recovery were made for the injured. The French Embassy in Ankara expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the attacks in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş and extended messages of sympathy to the Turkish people.

In a statement by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Ankara, the attack was learned with deep sorrow, and prayers for mercy for the deceased and condolences for their families were expressed. Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States, Ambassador Kubanıçbek Ömüraliyev, in his message, offered condolences for the teacher and students who lost their lives and wished swift recovery to the injured.

German Ambassador to Ankara, Sibylle Katharina Sorg, stated that two school attacks occurring within two days was a serious situation and shared a message of sympathy. The Embassy of the Netherlands in Ankara expressed being in “shock and sorrow” due to the attack and conveyed condolences.

Social Media Investigation and Arrests

As part of the investigations into the school attacks in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş, the General Directorate of Security announced on 16 April that arrest warrants were issued for 83 individuals. The statement indicated that legal proceedings were initiated against individuals identified as making posts that glorify the crime and the perpetrator and could negatively affect public order.

Within the same scope, access to 940 social media accounts was blocked, and 93 Telegram groups were shut down. It was stated that legal proceedings against suspects are being conducted comprehensively and in coordination by relevant units.

On the other hand, it was reported that two individuals (B.B.I. and B.K.) were taken into custody for violating the publication ban and sharing images of the incident on social media. It was stated that these individuals would be taken to court after procedures at the police station.

The Ministry of Justice announced that following the incident, digital platforms and social media channels are being closely monitored, coordination has been established among 171 serious crime public prosecutor’s offices across all 81 provinces, and immediate legal actions have been initiated against individuals who, primarily on platforms such as Telegram, share content glorifying violence, justifying the crime and the perpetrator, or inciting fear and panic.

The statement also emphasized that law enforcement units are effectively conducting “virtual patrols”, and that content containing criminal elements is being rapidly identified, with necessary judicial processes, including detentions and searches, being carried out meticulously against those responsible.

It was reported that the father of the student who carried out the attack in Kahramanmaraş, Uğur Mersinli, has been arrested. Investigations revealed that the attacker’s digital profile included an image referencing Elliot Rodger, who carried out an attack in the United States in 2014.

In the investigation into the school attack in Siverek, Şanlıurfa, the number of suspects taken into custody rose to 18. It was also reported that digital materials were seized during searches at the suspects’ residences.