Two of three people who fell ill at Istanbul concert have died

Two of the three people hospitalized after falling ill at the “Unreal x Jeton” event at the Istanbul Congress Center in Şişli, F.A., 29, and M.S.R., 24, have died. An investigation is underway.

The Turkiye Times Editorial DeskOctober 18, 2026, 08:14 PMUpdated: October 18, 2026, 08:20 PM

Two of three people who fell ill at Istanbul concert have died

Two of three people who fell ill at a concert event called “Unreal x Jeton,” which began on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Istanbul Congress Center in Harbiye, in Istanbul’s Şişli district, have died, while the third remains in life-threatening condition.

According to the information provided, F.A., 29, T.M., 33, and M.S.R., 24, fell ill at around 3:15 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18, at the event, which started at 9 p.m. and was scheduled to run until 4 a.m. Medical teams sent to the scene after receiving a report gave all three first aid and took them to Taksim Training and Research Hospital.

Taksim Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul

F.A., 29, could not be saved despite all efforts at the hospital. M.S.R., 24, who had been in life-threatening condition, died later in the day, bringing the death toll to two. T.M., 33, is still being treated in hospital.

Police launch investigation

Police launched an investigation and cleared the concert area after the incident. Initial findings showed that only people over 18 were admitted, that about 5,000 people attended and that the organizers had the necessary permits. Officers also found that alcoholic drinks had been served at the venue.

The plaza in front of the Istanbul Congress Center

Police and medical teams are reportedly considering the possibility that the three fell ill due to alcohol and drug use. The exact cause of death has not yet been established and will be determined after an autopsy at the Forensic Medicine Institute. The investigation is ongoing.

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