Elderly Couple Killed in Rize Traffic Crash Laid to Rest in Artvin

A head‑on collision occurred on the Black Sea coastal road near Ardeşen in Rize Province on 5 June 2026 at about 12:30 p.m. A commercial vehicle (plate 08 EE 908, driver Murat Uygun, 42) struck a car (plate 08 ABA 873, driver Mevlut Hatinoğlu, 72) that had crossed into the opposite lane, sending the vehicles into a nearby truck (plate 53 FC 366, driver Osman Sürsal). Mevlut Hatinoğlu and his 72‑year‑old wife Makbule died at the scene. Injured survivors included their 58‑year‑old daughter Havva Hatinoğlu, and Mehmet and Ayşen Uygun, all of whom were taken to Kaçkar State Hospital for treatment.

The couple’s bodies were transported to their hometown of Arhavi in Artvin Province, where a funeral ceremony was held at the central mosque. Attendees included their relative Erdinç Hatinoğlu, Deputy General Manager of ÇAYKUR, and former Rize Bar Association president Ateş Hatinoğlu. After the prayers, Mevlut and Makbule Hatinoğlu were buried in a family cemetery.