Overview
- Turkish media and investigators now point to aluminium phosphide used for pest control at the hotel as a likely cause, though toxicology confirmation has not been announced.
- Reports say a treatment was conducted directly beneath the family’s room and that a strong, unusual odor was noted, with the hotelier initially keeping journalists at a distance.
- Aluminium phosphide reacts with moisture to release highly toxic phosphine gas, which can be colorless with an unreliable garlic or fish‑like smell at dangerous concentrations.
- Safe use requires licensed specialists, full evacuation, gas‑tight sealing, thorough ventilation and air monitoring, and experts stress that applying it in occupied buildings is extremely hazardous.
- Symptoms can appear within minutes and progress to respiratory failure and cardiovascular collapse, there is no antidote, diagnosis can include a silver‑nitrate test, and past fatal incidents in several countries underscore the risks.