Kahramanmaraş Ayser Çalık Middle School Attack (2026)

Kahramanmaraş School Attack (2026) is an armed attack that occurred on 15 April 2026 at Ayser Çalık Ortaokulu 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 also died during the incident.

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 significant 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 Ortaokulu. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi stated that the school operated on a dual-shift system, and the attack took place as morning-shift 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 filled with students without targeting anyone, firing indiscriminately and causing 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. False reports are circulating on social media, but they are not true.”

Ünlüer also confirmed that the attacker died during the incident and that the judicial investigation 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 struggle. The eighth-grade student who caused the incident is our student, and his father is a former police officer. We believe he took the weapons from him. He came with five firearms and seven magazines, and entered two classrooms.”

On 16 April, it was reported that 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 knock him to the ground to gain control. During the intervention, some parents attempted to lynch the attacker, but police units arriving at the scene took the attacker into a classroom and placed him under custody before handing him over to security forces.

N.B., one of the parents who intervened, provided detailed testimony about 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 the sounds intensifying, he witnessed students fleeing the school. He described the situation as follows: “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. confirmed he recognized the person on the ground as the attacker and described the intervention as follows: “I went 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 had picked up somewhere, but I am not sure 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 as follows: “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 to lynch the attacker, prompting police to take him into a classroom and place him under custody. After the intervention, parents and school staff assisted the injured. Witness testimony also included details of students who hid to survive. N.B. recounted his child’s experience as follows: “My son said that when he heard the gunshots, he locked himself in the bathroom and stayed there. Later, when the teacher came and 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 Health Practice and Research Hospital that nine people died in the attack, 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, and Furkan Sancak Balal, and mathematics teacher Ayla Kara.

Çiftçi’s statement included the following: “At the exact moment morning-shift 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 of them students and one a teacher. In addition, we have thirteen injured. Six of our injured are in intensive care, and three are in critical condition.”

Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu confirmed that the injured were receiving treatment in hospitals. It was reported that the condition of those hospitalized was being closely monitored by relevant authorities. In a subsequent statement, Memişoğlu announced that eleven of the injured had been discharged, while nine patients continued receiving 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 Ortaokulu. It was announced that the attacker died during the incident. Initial reports indicated that he was shot during the chaos, and it was unclear whether this was a suicide attempt or occurred during the intervention. However, subsequent statements clarified that during the intervention by teachers and parents, the attacker was incapacitated 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 brought the weapons to school in his backpack and carried 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.

Arrest of the Attacker’s Father

The father of the perpetrator of the school attack in Kahramanmaraş, Uğur Mersinli, was taken into custody and subsequently arrested as part of the ongoing investigation. The General Directorate of Security stated that judicial proceedings were underway based on findings from the investigation.

The statement included the following: “The father of the perpetrator, U.M., was taken into custody on 15 April and subsequently arrested by the judicial authorities. Digital materials seized during searches at his residence and in his vehicle are under examination. The crime scene investigation has 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.”

Process of the Attacker’s Mother’s Arrest

On 22 April, the Kahramanmaraş Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued a statement regarding the arrest of the perpetrator’s mother in connection with the armed attack.

The prosecutor’s office stated that medical records and information regarding the health condition of the perpetrator, İsa Aras Mersinli, had been obtained from relevant health institutions and reviewed. The review determined that two psychologists, one from a public and one from a private institution, had diagnosed and recommended that the perpetrator require treatment in a child psychiatry clinic prior to the incident.

The statement noted: “Upon reviewing these documents, it was determined that despite the diagnoses and recommendations by two psychologists employed at public and private institutions that İsa Aras Mersinli required psychiatric treatment before the incident, his mother, P.P.M., failed to seek such medical support. This negligence in fulfilling her responsibility for treating the psychological conditions that led to the perpetrator’s acts of killing and injuring was established. In light of this, the Kahramanmaraş Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office petitioned the On-Call Peace Criminal Court for the arrest of suspect P.P.M., taking into account her concrete negligence in the incident and the severity of its consequences. Following questioning by the Kahramanmaraş On-Call Peace Criminal Court, a decision was made to arrest P.P.M. under Article 100 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and she was delivered to a penal institution. The investigation is being conducted thoroughly and in all aspects.”

Details of the Attacker’s Father’s Initial Statement

The statement given by the arrested father of the perpetrator of the school attack in Kahramanmaraş, Uğur Mersinli, before the Peace Criminal Court, was made public. 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 the bedroom, and all firearms 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 opening them in front of him. The safes were 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 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. My son experienced typical adolescent problems, exam stress, and anxiety. I took him to psychologists at the police station, but they told me there was no negative issue and that he was very intelligent. For approximately two months, I also took him to a private specialist psychologist near our home. This psychologist said my son had difficulty integrating into society and needed some monitoring; psychiatric treatment might be necessary in the future. He last visited the psychologist three weeks ago, but recently avoided going.”

Regarding his son’s digital habits, Mersinli stated: “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 on them. Although I did not know the names of the games, I often saw him playing war games. When I asked him what he was doing, he would deflect with answers like ‘Oh, you know,’ and I never got a clear response.”

Regarding his interest in firearms, he stated: “Previously, my son İsa had no interest in firearms. But about a month ago, he asked me if I could arrange for him to shoot like his friends. Around the same time, I briefly left a firearm on a shelf in the bedroom after returning from work and saw him reach for it—I scolded him. Realizing his interest in firearms, I spoke to him about our firearm culture and how firearms are regarded as honor. I told him that when I retire, I would give him one of the firearms. My intention was to redirect his enthusiasm. I told him, ‘If your record remains clean and you attend a good school, we can get you a firearm.’ I gave him hope. But he replied that in America, everyone can get a firearm. I explained to him who in our country can legally obtain and carry firearms.”

Mersinli also stated that shortly before the incident, he took his son to a shooting range: “My son told me his friends had shot with firearms and asked 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 this week, I went to the police shooting range and fired with my own firearm, letting my son fire a few rounds. I showed him the target and explained that firearms must be fired only at targets, not 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 Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Minister Gürlek stated: “Three chief public prosecutors and four public prosecutors have been assigned to the investigation. Our chief prosecutor and the assigned public prosecutors continue their investigations at the crime scene. A media blackout has been imposed to preserve the integrity of the investigation, and it is essential that our media outlets strictly respect the confidentiality of the investigation. All necessary information regarding the stages of the investigation will be provided by the competent authorities.”

The Kahramanmaraş Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office also announced that the investigation was being conducted comprehensively and meticulously, and that, despite the media blackout, a separate investigation was initiated due to the sharing of images and videos of the incident. The prosecutor’s office statement included the following: “Despite the judicially imposed media blackout, images and videos of the incident were found to have been shared on certain social media platforms and websites. A separate investigation has been initiated by our Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against individuals who violated the media blackout, endangered the confidentiality of the investigation, and disrupted public order. It is of great importance that all individuals and institutions strictly comply with the media blackout to protect public order, the rights of victims, and ensure the proper conduct of judicial proceedings. The investigation is being conducted thoroughly in all aspects.”

Additionally, the Ministry of Justice stated that digital platform sharing following the incident was closely monitored, coordination was established among 171 heavy penal chief public prosecutor’s offices across all 81 provinces, and immediate judicial proceedings were initiated against individuals who shared content on social media platforms, primarily Telegram, that glorified violence, justified the crime and the perpetrator, and incited fear and panic.

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

Administrative Review and Appointments

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

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

The Ministry of National Education stated that the process had been closely monitored by the ministry since the first moments of the incident, that Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin and accompanying officials had traveled to the region, and that four ministry chief inspectors had been dispatched to Kahramanmaraş. The statement included the following: “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 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 dimensions. We wish swift recovery for our injured students receiving treatment in hospitals, and we 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 until the weekend in Şanlıurfa due to the previous school attack and announced that a similar decision had been made 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 measures regarding school safety would be reviewed again. He also noted that relevant institutions were working in coordination and that ensuring the safety of educational institutions was being treated as 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 following the incident. The ministers visited injured students being treated at Sütçü İmam University Health Practice and Research Hospital and received updates from doctors regarding 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 acting in coordination.

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

Funerals of those who lost their lives in the school attack in Kahramanmaraş, 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, and Furkan Sancak Balal, and mathematics teacher Ayla Kara, who lost their lives in the armed attack at Ayser Çalık Ortaokulu in the Onikişubat district of Kahramanmaraş, were held and buried on 16 April 2026 in various locations following funeral ceremonies.

The funeral of Yusuf Tarık Gül, an 11-year-old fifth-grade student, was taken 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 taken from the Kahramanmaraş Forensic Medicine Institution to Abdulhamithan Mosque. Families were seen weeping over the coffins, and 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 taken from the Forensic Medicine Institution morgue to Duraklı Mosque, where a funeral prayer was held, and she was buried at Şeyh Adil Cemetery. Adnan Göktürk Yeşil’s funeral was buried following a ceremony in Düziçi district of Osmaniye. His body, wrapped in the Turkish flag, was taken to Haruniye Mosque, where a funeral prayer was held, and he was buried at Yeşiller Family Cemetery.

Furkan Sancak Balal’s funeral was taken from the Kahramanmaraş Forensic Medicine Institution to Külliye Mosque in Afşin district, where a funeral prayer was held, and he was buried.

The funeral of mathematics teacher Ayla Kara (55) was taken 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 school attack in Kahramanmaraş, 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 Turkey. Unfortunately, in this attack, we lost our bright children and a dedicated educator. We pray for mercy from the Almighty for those we lost, and patience to their grieving families and condolences to our education community. Our chief public prosecutors and civil 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 directly oversee the process. He added: “It is both a moral and ethical duty not to exploit this attack, which has struck a fire into the hearts of our entire nation, for political polemics or ratings. There is no politics of grief. I request all segments of society, especially the media, to show the necessary sensitivity given the gravity of the incident. During this period, I urge our nation not to believe false or misleading news and disinformation, and to rely on official announcements from 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 Inter-Parliamentary Union General Assembly held at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel and Conference Center. Expressing sorrow over the news received during the successful event, Kurtulmuş said: “While successfully organizing this event, we unfortunately received news of a deeply painful and heartbreaking incident at a school in Kahramanmaraş. Our hearts are truly bleeding; we are in profound grief. May our nation’s head remain strong. Three of our beloved children and one teacher lost their lives in this attack. May Almighty God grant them mercy. Innocent little children have passed away.”

“The truth behind this incident, the perpetrator’s primary motivations—these will be revealed. We know that the Kahramanmaraş prosecutor’s office has immediately launched an investigation with a large team of prosecutors and prosecutors’ deputies. May our nation’s head remain strong. I offer condolences to all our children, students, and the education community. We are truly 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 a statement on his social media account, expressed sorrow over the school attack in Kahramanmaraş. Cevdet Yılmaz stated: “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 from God for our teacher and students who lost their lives in this heinous incident, patience for their families, and swift recovery for our injured.”

Director of the Presidency of Communications, Burhanettin Duran, stated that the attack 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 phase 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 concerns our children and families, utmost care must be exercised in the language and rhetoric used, particularly in traditional and digital media. Avoiding expressions that could intensify trauma or deepen fear and anxiety is a critical responsibility for protecting the psychological safety of our children.”

Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu, in a post on his social media account, said: “I offer condolences from God to our citizens who lost their lives in the armed attack at a school in Kahramanmaraş, and patience to their grieving families. Our injured are receiving treatment 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 a statement on her social media account, said: “I offer condolences from God to our citizens who lost their lives in the heinous incident at a middle school in Onikişubat, Kahramanmaraş, and patience to their families. I 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 a statement on his social media account, said that the heartbreaking incidents in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş deeply affected the entire country. “I must express with great sorrow that in these incidents, we lost our hopeful young people and a dedicated educator who devoted himself to his sacred duty,” Tekin said, adding that the nation was united in profound grief.

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 update our current security measures and implement a comprehensive security approach that covers all digital and physical threats.”

This grief, shared by our entire nation, has touched every heart. Indeed, this process will be followed in every detail, and every necessary step, care, and attention will be taken to ensure the peace of our children, the well-being of our teachers, and the tranquility of our educational environments. Let our nation have no doubt that no aspect of this shared grief will be left in darkness. I pray for mercy from God for our teachers and students who lost their lives, patience for their grieving families and every member of our 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 a statement on his social media account, said: “I offer condolences from God to our citizens who lost their lives in the armed attack at our school in Kahramanmaraş, patience to their families, and swift recovery to our injured citizens. This heinous attack is being closely monitored by our relevant institutions in all its dimensions, and decisive steps are being taken to clarify the incident.”

Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, in a post on his social media account, said: “I offer condolences from God to the students and our dedicated teacher who lost their lives in the heinous attack in Kahramanmaraş, and swift recovery to our injured. I share the pain of our families from the bottom of my heart and want them to know we stand with them. No words can ease our sorrow. In these difficult days, we will hold each other even tighter as a nation. May our head remain strong.”

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, in a statement on his social media account, 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. I offer condolences from God to our teacher and students who lost their lives, patience and condolences to their grieving families, and swift recovery to our injured citizens.”

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, in a statement on his social media account, said: “The heinous incident at our school in Kahramanmaraş has deeply saddened us all. I offer condolences from God to our teacher and students who lost their lives, 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 a statement on his social media account, said: “I 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. I offer condolences from God to our esteemed teacher and children who lost their lives, patience and condolences to their grieving families, and wish swift recovery to our injured citizens from our Lord.”

MHP General Chairman Devlet Bahçeli, in a written statement regarding the armed attacks in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş, said: “It is clear that the incidents in Şanlıurfa yesterday and Kahramanmaraş today cannot be dismissed with superficial, 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 noted that the uncontrolled spread of digitalization, the unchecked influence of social media, and the deepening peer bullying have caused irreparable damage to children’s psyches.

Bahçeli stated: “In today’s world, our children are growing up in an artificial climate fed by social media, where they direct their attention to screens with their fingertips, experiencing and consuming contradictory emotions within seconds. These rapid emotional shifts blur the boundaries between reality and the virtual world in the minds of children still in development. A dangerous misconception is forming that lives in the virtual world, 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, are increasingly inclined to simplify reality, dismiss consequences, and act on impulsive reactions. He warned that if left uncontrolled, this situation creates a foundation for irreversible consequences, clearly demonstrating that the issue has become a global threat, as similar incidents have occurred in other societies. Bahçeli stated: “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.” He added: “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 question to be asked is what social environment, digitalization, value erosion, and uncontrolled influence areas are pushing our children toward such dark acts. In such grave and sensitive incidents, it is vital that 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 tragedy into daily political fodder or exploit grief. In light of all these observations, it is necessary to express the deep wound this painful incident has opened in our conscience.”

AK Party General Secretary Eyyüp Kadir İnan, in a post on his social media account, said: “Our grief is immeasurable; our hearts are deeply wounded. I pray for mercy from Almighty God for our brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the attack at our school in Kahramanmaraş. May their resting places be in paradise. May the heads of our grieving families, our 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, offered condolences from God to the teacher and students who died in the armed attacks and wished swift recovery to 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, particularly those targeting educational institutions, and strongly condemn them.”

President of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), Mehmet Daniş, in a post on his social media account, said: “We are deeply saddened by the heinous incident that has pierced the hearts of our nation. I offer condolences from Almighty God to our citizens who lost their lives, 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 a post on her social media account, 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. I pray for mercy from Almighty God for those we lost, patience for their families, and swift recovery for our injured. May our nation’s head remain strong.”

Media Blackout

A media blackout was imposed by the 2nd Peace Criminal Court of Kahramanmaraş under Decision No. 2026/3569 for the sake of the investigation’s integrity. RTÜK announced that the media blackout 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 the following: “In accordance with Decision No. 2026/3569 issued by the 2nd Peace Criminal Court of Kahramanmaraş, a media blackout has been imposed by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the incident in Kahramanmaraş. Broadcasters are strongly reminded to strictly comply with this court decision under Law No. 6112 and relevant regulations.”

RTÜK also announced that it is monitoring in real time any broadcasters violating the media blackout and sharing images from the crime scene, as well as social media posts. The statement included the following: “It is essential that images from the crime scene are not used in reporting official announcements by authorities. Any broadcast or expert opinion that violates the court order, shares images from the crime scene, or attacks the privacy of victims’ families is being recorded. No concessions will be made against this irresponsible broadcasting approach that disrupts public peace and negatively affects children’s mental health. The heaviest sanctions under Law No. 6112 will be immediately and firmly applied against institutions that fail to comply with the ban. All broadcasters are urgently required to fully comply with legal decisions and broadcasting principles.”

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 Ortaokulu in Kahramanmaraş. We wish swift recovery to the injured, mercy from God for those we lost, and patience and condolences to their families and all of Turkey.”

Chairman of the Republican Assembly, 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 Turkey in his statement, saying: “We learned with deep sorrow of the armed attack at Ayser Çalık Ortaokulu in Kahramanmaraş, our motherland. We offer condolences from God to those who lost their lives, patience to their families, and condolences to our motherland, Turkey. We pray for swift recovery for the injured. This painful incident 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 affected them as deeply as it did Turkey and conveyed condolences and solidarity to Turkey. Üstel said: “I offer condolences from God to our innocent teacher and students who lost their lives in this heinous attack, and patience and condolences to their families and the people of our motherland, the Republic of Türkiye.”

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on its social media account, expressed: “Our 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 swift recovery to all the injured.” The statement noted Saudi Arabia’s 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 and 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 conveying the deepest condolences and condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, as well as 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 those who lost their lives, 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 wishes of comfort to the Turkish people.

In a statement by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Ankara, the attack was received with deep sorrow, and condolences and wishes for mercy were expressed for those who lost their lives, and condolences were offered to their families. General Secretary of the Organization of Turkic States, Ambassador Kubanıçbek Ömüraliyev, in a message he issued, conveyed 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 the occurrence of two school attacks within two days was a grave situation and shared condolences. 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 found to have made posts glorifying the crime and the perpetrator, which could negatively affect public order.

In the same context, access to 940 social media accounts was blocked, and 93 Telegram groups were shut down. It was stated that legal proceedings against suspects were being conducted in a multidimensional and coordinated manner by relevant units.

On the other hand, it was reported that two individuals (B.B.İ. and B.K.) were taken into custody