In the first half of 2022, fifty Russian tourists died while on vacation in Turkey, according to comments attributed to the Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Alexei Yerkhov. The most recent rise in Russian fatalities in Turkey’s Mediterranean region had been observed back in 2019.
“There are 50 deaths among Russians in the first six months. This figure is part of the statistics. The main causes are chronic illnesses, especially cardiovascular diseases, drowning, and traffic accidents,” he stated.
He also noted that a trend once thought forgotten reappeared—COVID-19 infections among Russians. He said twenty cases were recorded in the southern regions of Turkey.
Additionally, last month the Consulate General of Russia documented ten serious incidents in which about fifty Russians were injured.
Situation with Russophobia
Yerkhov mentioned reports in media and social networks about clashes between Russian and foreign tourists in Turkey on ethnic or political grounds.
“I urge anyone who encounters such incidents to contact the Antalya Consulate as soon as possible. The staff will provide qualified assistance. I can assure you that these cases will not go unnoticed and those responsible will not escape accountability. I hope our tourists will use this option when needed.”
There were incidents in Alanya at the end of July 2022 where Polish tourists assaulted a Russian citizen after a dispute over discussing the Ukraine situation. The confrontation occurred on July 13, 2022, at the Quattro Beach Spa and Resort Hotel’s restaurant. While the man and his wife rested in a cafe, several Polish vacationers approached them. A conversation ensued, and the Poles attempted multiple times to discuss politics in Russian.
After the man refused again to discuss Ukraine, one of the Polish visitors began to harass his Russian wife. When the husband tried to intervene, the Poles attacked him and fired several shots. Eyewitnesses called the police, but the assailants fled before officers arrived, and the injured Russians had to visit a police station. On returning to the hotel, the manager allegedly pressured the Russians to sign away any claims against the resort and its guests.
In March 2022, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned what he called Western fascism toward Russians. The German government also stated it would not tolerate assaults on Russian-speaking residents and visitors.
Marina Sorokina, president of the Antalya Russian Association, said that the organization, together with the Russian Consulate, pressed local authorities to curb potential conflicts. She noted that law enforcement would handle penalties ranging from inciting ethnic hatred to deportation.
Following the February 2022 launch of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, some European countries witnessed desecration of Soviet-era monuments and separate attacks on Russian-speaking residents. For example, in Berlin unknown individuals set fire to a gymnasium belonging to the Russian-German school named after VV Lomonosov. In response, Rossotrudnichestvo strengthened security at Russian cultural centers and established police posts; some staff shifted to online work arrangements.
The man did not return from Istanbul
In late July 2021, a 20-year-old Russian tourist named Makar Ragin disappeared in Istanbul. He had planned to fly from Istanbul to Vilnius on July 29 but did not board the plane. The man, who studied in Warsaw, had traveled to Istanbul for a vacation. His mother later flew to Turkey to file a missing-person report.
Ragin’s body was discovered on August 10, about ten days after he disappeared, in the Gulf of Burgaz on the island near Istanbul. The body was spotted by people boarding a boat and reported to the police. The victim had been in the water for roughly ten days, with a purse and wallet found nearby.
Investigators concluded that Ragin’s death resulted from an accident: investigators determined that he lost balance, slipped, and fell from a cliff.
Situation in previous years
According to Yerkhov, 185 Russian tourists died in Turkey’s Mediterranean resorts in 2019, with 31 fatalities recorded in the Istanbul district. He noted that compared to 2018 there were no mass outbreaks of roto- or enterovirus infections in 2019, though there were complaints about food quality and some poisoning cases. Fortunately, major, serious accidents involving tourist buses were avoided, but drownings remained a notable cause of death, particularly among children.
The ambassador added that the rate of accidents involving Russian tourists remained high, with most deaths linked to the worsening of chronic conditions. He cited cardiovascular issues, heart attacks, strokes, and cirrhosis as common factors. He suggested that the popularity of Turkish resorts and high temperatures contribute to the mortality rate, and he speculated that the all-inclusive hotel system and unrestricted alcohol consumption might play a role in health declines and conflict situations.
According to Sergei Markov, secretary-general of the Russian-Turkish Public Forum, Russian travelers should “prepare” for trips to Turkey by warning of road hazards, hot climate, and the need for moderation. Markov noted that tourists from England and Germany also consume alcohol, though typically less than Russians—often beer. He highlighted that chronic diseases might become more acute in hot Turkish weather and pointed out that many Russian travelers include pregnant women, for whom the heat can be dangerous.