1 Killed, 4 Injured in Anadolu Motorway Crash That Claimed Uskudar Deputy Mayor

Quick answer: Uskudar deputy mayor Dundar Ziya Gultekin died after a crash on the Anadolu Motorway in Duzce province, Turkiye, on 15 October 2026, while travelling towards Ankara. The car he was travelling in collided with another car going in the same direction near Kaynasli, and four other people were injured.

Key facts

• What: Road Accident — two-car collision
• Where: Anadolu Motorway, Ankara direction, near Saricokek, Kaynasli, Duzce province, Turkiye
• When: 15 October 2026 (reported 15 October 2026)
• Reported toll: 1 killed, 4 injured (initial reports)
• Emergency number: 112
• Status: developing — figures may change

What happened

The crash happened on the Anadolu Motorway's Duzce section, in the Ankara direction, at Saricokek near Kaynasli. The car carrying Gultekin collided with another car travelling in the same direction. Health and police teams were sent to the scene after the alarm was raised.

Gultekin and four other injured people were taken to nearby hospitals. Gultekin was treated at a private hospital, but doctors could not save him despite about an hour and a half of efforts. Two doctors who witnessed the crash stopped at the scene and gave first aid before the emergency teams arrived.

Gultekin was travelling to Ankara to attend the Union of Municipalities of Turkiye deputy chair election when the crash happened.

The question over the cause

The provincial party chair, Hasan Senguloglu, told reporters that no obvious crash-related injury or impact was visible on Gultekin's body, and that it was being assessed whether he may have suffered a heart attack from the shock of the incident. That assessment is not a confirmed cause of death, and any confirmed findings would come from the medical examination and the investigation.

The crash itself remains under investigation. The collision involved two cars travelling in the same direction, and the investigation would normally establish speed, following distances, vehicle condition and road conditions.

Who was Dundar Ziya Gultekin?

Gultekin had come to prominence through the contested Uskudar deputy mayor election, held after Uskudar mayor Sinem Dedetas was arrested and removed from office. In the fourth round of voting in the municipal council, he won 23 of 42 votes against 19 for the other candidate, and was elected deputy mayor after a legal challenge to the election was rejected.

What happens next

Investigators would normally complete a report on the collision, including how the two cars came into contact, while hospitals confirm the condition of the four injured people. Families are given confirmed information once identification and notification are complete.

If you drive on routes like this

• Keep a safe following distance, especially at motorway speeds — a two-second gap is a minimum, more in rain
• Check mirrors and blind spots before every lane change
• Take a break if you feel tired, unwell or stressed; fatigue and sudden illness are serious risks at speed
• Wear the seatbelt in every seat; rear belts save lives in head-on impacts
• Know the local emergency number before you travel — in Turkiye, dial 112

Frequently asked questions

How many people died in the Anadolu Motorway crash?

One person died: Uskudar deputy mayor Dundar Ziya Gultekin. Four other people were injured and taken to nearby hospitals.

Where did the Anadolu Motorway crash happen?

On the Anadolu Motorway in the Ankara direction, at Saricokek near Kaynasli in Duzce province, Turkiye, where the car carrying Gultekin collided with another car travelling in the same direction.

What caused the Anadolu Motorway crash?

The cause has not been officially confirmed. The crash involved two cars travelling in the same direction. Officials also said it was being assessed whether Gultekin may have suffered a heart attack from the shock of the incident; that assessment is not a confirmed cause of death.

Who was Dundar Ziya Gultekin?

He was the deputy mayor of Uskudar in Istanbul, elected in the municipal council after the mayor was removed from office. He was travelling to Ankara to attend the Union of Municipalities of Turkiye deputy chair election when the crash happened.

What is the emergency number in Turkiye?

Dial 112 for emergency services in Turkiye.