Eskişehir, Turkey – The extensive seven-day search for Tuncay Arslan, a 51-year-old Turkish teacher who went missing from his home, concluded with the discovery of his deceased body in the Porsuk Stream. The grim find was made by a specialized team of six police divers, referred to as ‘Frogmen,’ who were deployed from the Ankara Police Department to assist in the operation.
Disappearance and Initial Search Efforts
Tuncay Arslan was last seen leaving his residence on Dedeefendi Street in the Gökmeydan Neighborhood on December 16. When he failed to return home, his family promptly reported his disappearance to the police, initiating a comprehensive search operation.
Investigations revealed that Arslan was last sighted on Doğualp Street. Given its proximity to the Porsuk Stream, authorities considered the possibility that he might have fallen into the water. In an effort to facilitate the search, the gates of the Porsuk Stream were closed, and a significant portion of its water was drained. Despite these measures, initial searches within the stream yielded no trace of Arslan.
Multi-Agency Search Operation
The search effort was a collaborative undertaking, involving a 50-person team composed of various emergency and rescue organizations. These included the Eskişehir Provincial Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD), the Ministry of National Education Search and Rescue Unit (MEB AKUB), the Search and Rescue Association (AKUT), Odunpazarı Municipality Search and Rescue (OBAK), Tepebaşı Search and Rescue (TAK), Dorlion Search and Rescue, SARTEAM, and fire department teams. The teams concentrated their efforts in the Şeker Mahallesi Kentpark area of the Porsuk Stream.
The arrival of the ‘Frogmen’ divers from the Ankara Police Department significantly bolstered the search capabilities. While other teams conducted surface and surrounding area searches, the specialized divers commenced underwater operations.
Discovery of the Body
Despite earlier intensive searches in the Gökmeydan Neighborhood section of the Porsuk Stream, Tuncay Arslan’s lifeless body was ultimately located in the Porsuk Stream area adjacent to Mihallıçık Street in the Gündoğdu Neighborhood. The exact circumstances leading to his death are currently under investigation.
The discovery brings a sorrowful end to a week-long search that garnered significant public attention and involved the dedicated efforts of numerous rescue personnel.
