5-year-old Kurdish boy killed after being hit by sergeant's vehicle in Turkey

A 5-year-old Kurdish boy on Wednesday tragically lost his life after being struck by a vehicle in the Yüksekova district of Turkey’s southeastern Hakkari.

The incident occurred as the child, identified as Erdem Askan, was walking along the road , with the vehicle being driven by a specialist sergeant from the Gendarmerie Command. The impact of the collision sent Askan flying approximately 50 meters on the road. The specialist sergeant allegedly fled the scene following the incident, while the child tragically lost his life. After the examination conducted by the crime scene investigation teams and traffic police, Askan's body was transported to the hospital. The Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation into the incident, the driver of the vehicle, the specialist sergeant, was reportedly apprehended.

A statement released by the Bar Association of Hakkari province, highlighted that police vehicles and armored vehicles have posed a serious threat to the safety of the local population for years, stating, "The fact that no precautions are taken indicates a deliberate negligence." The association emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent further loss of life.

Oznur Bartin, a pro-Kurdish Green Left Party deputy expressed her outrage on Twitter, saying, "Impunity continues to cause the deaths of Erdem and dozens of other children. What happened is not an accident, it is murder!"

The Human Rights Association (IHD) Hakkari Branch also expressed their commitment to closely follow the case and extended their condolences to the family and relatives of the child, wishing them patience during this difficult time.