Turkey's Rescue Chief Mustafa Bilyaz Warns of Fatal Water‑Jumping Hazards

Mustafa Bilyaz, president of Turkey's Search and Rescue Association, said reckless water jumps are one of the most common summer accidents. He reported two recent incidents in which a jumper died and another was injured after leaping from a shallow rocky area.

Bilyaz urged tourists and locals to verify water depth, seabed composition and hidden underwater risks before entering any body of water. He highlighted dangers specific to cliffs, rock formations (falez) and tourist boats, noting that falling rock fragments can create unseen hazards beneath the surface. "The power of water must not be taken lightly. Do not joke in water," he warned.

The official also criticized some visitors who, encouraged by peers, attempt jumps from high points despite safety warnings from boat captains. He stressed that such behavior can cause injuries not only from the jump itself but also from falls onto boat structures.