A family once presumed to have succumbed to food poisoning during a vacation in Turkey may have actually fallen victim to a chemical substance at their hotel, according to investigators.

The four family members became severely ill at their Istanbul hotel last Wednesday, just 48 hours after arriving from Hamburg, Germany.

Initially, it was believed the family had died from food poisoning after venturing into Istanbul’s Besiktas district on November 12 to enjoy local cuisine.

However, a preliminary report by the Turkish forensic institute suggests the tragic deaths of father Servet, 38, mother Cigdem Bocek, 27, and their children Masal, three, and Kadir, six, were likely due to chemical exposure in the hotel, as reported by state broadcaster TRT, referencing the non-finalized document.

The forensic institute is currently investigating possible chemical poisoning caused by pest control substances used within the Turkish hotel, with samples now undergoing analysis, according to reports.

Food poisoning has not been completely ruled out as the potential killer, but the likelihood is currently considered to be low as the investigations are finalised.

The German family were transported to hospital on November 12 after they had ventured out to try the popular street snack midye – a dish of stuffed mussels served with lemon. 

They later ordered a mix of dishes at a local restaurant, including kokorec, made from calf intestines, and tavuk tantuni, a type of chicken wrap.

Cigdem Bocek, her husband Servet and children Kadir, six, and Masal, three, fell violently ill at their hotel in Istanbul on November 12, just two days after travelling from Hamburg, Germany

The family then treated themselves to Turkish delights from a shop in the Fatih area before returning to their hotel.

But soon after, the children began suffering from extreme nausea and vomiting. 

Bocek and Servet rushed them to the hospital as they began being hit with the same symptoms.

The taxi driver who took them to the hospital has since revealed that when he began driving the family toward the medical facility, they seemed ‘in a panic’.

‘I tried to talk to the father. When I asked him what was happening, he replied: “We ate and drank something and it probably affected us”. He said to me: “Please, take us to the nearest hospital”.’

He added that the young girl had been vomiting continuously, and that the mother appeared ‘semi-conscious’ during the ride. 

Tragically, the two children died on the Wednesday, Bocek lost her life on Friday, and Servet died on Monday following the sickness. 

The grandfather of the children has demanded answers and questioned whether others have fallen ill.

The family all complained of nausea, vomiting and dizziness and following treatment at two different medical facilities, the parents and children were discharged, according to Bild

Another two tourists staying at the same hotel as the family were hospitalised on Saturday after displaying symptoms of nausea and vomiting, according to BirGun newspaper.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday: ‘The investigation is currently being carried out comprehensively. It will be revealed what caused the deaths.’ 

Following investigations, 11 suspects have now been arrested, and according to the Anadolu news agency, arrest warrants were issued for four of them on Monday evening.

These included sweet vendors, stuffed mussels seller, a kokorec vendor and a cafe owner.