Heartbreaking Workplace Homicide: 17-Year-Old Samed Can Erdoğan Dies in Demolition Work

IZMIR – Another tragedy has been added to Turkey's workplace fatality statistics. Yesterday (October 13), 17-year-old Samed Can Erdoğan, who was working on the demolition of a house in Çeşme Alaçatı, one of İzmir’s tourism centers, lost his life. The distressing news, announced by the Assembly of Worker Health and Work Safety (İSİG) on social media, has once again brought child labor and precarious working conditions in Turkey’s construction sector to the forefront.

Struck by a Wall Block During Demolition

According to information obtained, a major accident occurred during the demolition of a residence in Alaçatı. A wall block that broke off or collapsed during the work struck 17-year-old Samed Can Erdoğan, who was working in the area. The seriously injured child worker could not be saved despite all interventions and died at the scene.

This tragic death painfully demonstrates the immense risks associated with employing children under the age of 18 in heavy and dangerous work. Although high-risk sectors like demolition and construction are legally forbidden for child and young workers, such tragedies continue to occur due to a lack of inspection and enforcement.

Strong Reaction from İSİG Assembly: Emphasis on Combating Child Labor

The İSİG Assembly publicized the incident by sharing Samed Can Erdoğan's name and reacted strongly with the hashtag #ÇocukİşçiliğiİleMücadeleye (To the Fight Against Child Labor). Trade unions and worker rights organizations stated that Samed Can's death was not an isolated incident and noted that hundreds of workers, including children, had died in the first nine months of the year (as mentioned in the previous news). They called on authorities to take urgent measures. Experts emphasize that the highest level of safety precautions must be taken during demolition work, and employing young and inexperienced workers in such dangerous jobs requires direct legal accountability. While a legal process has been initiated regarding Samed Can Erdoğan's death, the causes and allegations of negligence are being investigated. The public expects those responsible for this tragedy to be held accountable.