A court in Turkey has sentenced nine rail officials to more than 108 years in prison for their involvement in a tragic train crash that occurred six years ago, resulting in the deaths of 25 individuals. The incident took place in July 2018 when a passenger train operated by Turkish State Railways derailed in the Corlu district, located approximately 110 kilometers west of Istanbul.
The train was en route from Unlukopru, near the Greek border, to Istanbul’s Halkali station, a key rail route connecting Turkey to Europe. Among the victims were seven children, and over 300 individuals sustained injuries in the crash.
An expert report presented to the Corlu 1st High Criminal Court attributed the accident to a collapsed rail embankment caused by heavy rainfall. The report highlighted the railways operator's failure to implement necessary precautions against severe weather conditions. The collapse of the embankment above a culvert resulted in six carriages overturning, with photographs taken post-accident revealing inadequate ground support under a section of the rail.
Thirteen Turkish Railways officials faced trial on charges of 'causing death and injury by negligence,' with four individuals ultimately acquitted. The former regional manager of Turkish Railways received the most severe sentence of 17 and a half years, while the shortest sentence of eight years and four months was handed to a deputy rail maintenance manager.
Family members of the victims have been advocating for broader accountability, urging for senior managers at the rail company and officials from the Transport Ministry to also be held responsible. Misra Oz, a prominent figure among the grieving families, lost her nine-year-old son in the crash and has been vocal in demanding justice.
Following the court's ruling, the victims' families expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the case would not be considered closed until high-ranking officials are brought to trial. The leader of Turkey’s main opposition party, Ozgur Ozel, attended the trial and remarked on the significance of public officials facing consequences for the first time, signaling a potential shift away from a culture of impunity.
Turkey has been working to modernize its rail network in recent years, introducing high-speed inter-city lines. However, despite these efforts, many passengers still prefer air or road travel. The country's deadliest recent rail disaster occurred in 2004 when a high-speed train derailment in the northwestern province of Sakarya claimed the lives of 41 individuals and left 80 others injured.
