Father and son missing for six days after truck plunges into Turkish river

An extensive search operation continues for the sixth day for a father and son who went missing after their truck plunged into the Şavşat River in the Artvin province of Turkey. Selahattin Kaya, 65, and his son Mecit Kaya, 45, were traveling from Artvin to Ardahan on June 14 when their vehicle lost control and fell into the river.

The alarm was raised by the family when they lost contact with the father and son on their return journey. Upon investigation, authorities confirmed that the truck, driven by Mecit Kaya, had veered off the Artvin-Şavşat highway and into the river. Rescue teams, including AFAD, Hopa Deniz Polisi, gendarmerie, and health personnel, were dispatched to the scene.

Although the truck was located and retrieved from the river, there was no sign of the father and son inside. It is believed they were swept away by the strong currents of the river. Search and rescue efforts were immediately launched to find them.

Currently, approximately 90 personnel are involved in the operation, coordinated by the Provincial Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD). The team includes members from AFAD, Trabzon Gendarmerie Search and Rescue (JAK), Şavşat Gendarmerie Commando Unit, Hopa Deniz Police, Çoruh Search and Rescue, and Şavşat Search and Rescue teams, along with volunteers. The operation is utilizing three boats and two sonar scanning devices to cover the river area. Underwater search teams are conducting dives at specific points identified as potential locations.

In a separate incident during the search efforts, rescue teams spotted and saved a goat that had fallen from a hillside into the river. The teams reached the struggling animal by boat and brought it to safety on the shore.