AI-generated illustration

A 14-member group of IHH volunteers who travelled to Isparta from Istanbul went missing in the Yazılı Kanyon area of Sütçüler district, the Isparta Governor's Office said. Search and rescue teams using drones located the group and found one person dead, while three of those stranded were later brought out.

Efforts to reach the remaining 10 people were halted overnight because of darkness and the steep, rugged terrain and were set to resume in the early morning hours, according to the governor's office.

Governor Erin reviews the operation on site

Isparta Governor Abdullah Erin told journalists that teams were still working to bring out the body of the person who died. "We assess that our citizen who lost their life died as a result of drowning in the stream. I pray for God's mercy," Erin said.

Erin said work that began in the afternoon continued at a high intensity because of the difficult terrain, and that 11 of the 14 people in the group were found to be professional mountaineers. A drone located the 10 people, who had lit a fire to keep themselves warm and safe.

"In order not to endanger the safety of our searching colleagues, we will hopefully reach those 10 people at first light and try to rescue them," Erin said.

Key takeaways

• A 14-member IHH volunteer group from Istanbul went missing in the Yazılı Kanyon area of Isparta's Sütçüler district
• One person's body was recovered and three others were rescued, with 10 people contacted and reported in good health
• AFAD coordinated 28 personnel and eight vehicles from six provinces for the operation
• Governor Abdullah Erin said 11 of the 14 were professional mountaineers and the missing person is believed to have drowned in a stream