Search for Missing Man Enters 10th Day After River Fall

Ten days have passed since İlker Parlak, 22, fell into the Kelkit River in Turkey's Erbaa district and disappeared, with search operations ongoing. The incident occurred on May 28 near the Kelkit River bank in the Erek neighborhood.

İlker Parlak was with his cousins Atakan Kale, 18, Furkan Kale, 18, and Oğuz Kale, 26, riding an electric three-wheeled triporteur along the riverbank. While attempting to take photographs near the water's edge, all four individuals, along with the vehicle, plunged into the river.

Atakan and Furkan Kale were able to reach the shore on their own. However, İlker Parlak and Oğuz Kale were swept away and lost from sight in the water. A search was immediately launched for the two missing individuals.

On the seventh day of the search, Oğuz Kale's body was recovered, entangled in trees in the Boğazkesen area of Kale village. He was laid to rest on June 4. The search for İlker Parlak has continued into its tenth day, with support from Jandarma Search and Rescue (JAK) teams from Ankara. These teams are utilizing three sonar devices and a cadaver dog to aid the operation, which is coordinated by AFAD. A total of 161 personnel, 6 drones, 8 boats, 3 sonar devices, 1 cadaver dog, and 37 vehicles are involved in the extensive search efforts along the river.