Tragedy in Antalya: He Ignored the Warning Signs and Leapt to His Death

Arif Erman looked toward the sea, stepped back to build up speed, then ran and jumped headfirst from a hotel pier in Antalya’s Alanya district. The water below reportedly measured only about 50 centimeters deep.

The 39-year-old was staying at the hotel when he approached the protective ropes surrounding the pier. He ignored warning signs stating that jumping was dangerous and prohibited, and leapt over the protective barrier into the sea. A lifeguard at the pier also jumped into the water.

Erman suffered severe injuries. Medical teams gave him initial treatment before taking him to hospital, where he later died.

Security cameras recorded the incident. The footage showed Erman first looking at the spot where he planned to jump, then walking backward to judge the distance needed for his run-up. He then ran across the pier and jumped over its protective fence into the water.

Erman lived in Sapanca’s Akçay neighborhood. The married father of three will be buried in Sapanca, his hometown. The investigation into the incident continues.