Athlete’s Body Found in Sapanca Lake
Tragedy Strikes in Sakarya: Athlete Lost in Sapanca Lake
Yesterday, in the Serdivan district of Sakarya, a group of 7 athletes and 1 trainer faced a terrifying ordeal when their canoe overturned on Sapanca Lake due to strong winds. As a result, one athlete, 15-year-old Kagan Ege Baran, went missing in the water.
A large-scale search and rescue operation was immediately launched, involving various teams such as AFAD, Gendarmerie Search and Rescue, Fire Department, Marine Police from Kocaeli and Yalova, IHH, Sakarya Search and Rescue Team (SAKE), as well as safety teams from Ankara and Samsun. In total, 110 people, 11 boats, 4 drones, 2 sonar devices, 33 vehicles, and 1 helicopter were deployed for the search efforts.
Despite the challenging conditions, the teams intensified their efforts and used sonar devices to scan the lake for any signs of the missing athlete. Ultimately, Kagan Ege Baran’s body was discovered approximately 1.5 kilometers away from the shore.
Sakarya Governor Rahmi Dogan, along with other officials, visited the scene to oversee the search operation. Coach Safa Köse, who was present during the tragic accident, shared details of the incident with Governor Dogan, emphasizing the sudden and severe nature of the wind that caused the canoe to overturn.
The lifeless body of the young athlete was taken to Sakarya Training and Research Hospital for further examination. The entire community mourns the loss of Kagan Ege Baran and extends their deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the dangers that can arise when engaging in water sports, especially during adverse weather conditions. Our thoughts are with the Sakarya Youth Center Sports Club and all those affected by this heartbreaking loss.
