Tragic Incident Claims Life of 15-Year-Old Apprentice in Turkey

A fifteen-year-old woodworking apprentice in Turkey died following a severe incident involving a high-pressure air hose that his co-workers allegedly inserted into his rectum as a misguided prank. The event occurred on September 15, 2023, at a woodworking center in Sanliurfa and has drawn significant media attention due to its tragic nature.

According to the local news outlet Milliyet, the victim, identified as Muhammed Kendirci, was overpowered by his colleagues, including Habip Aksoy, who tied his hands before forcibly removing his clothing. The pair then inserted an air compressor tube into his anus, resulting in catastrophic damage to his internal organs. Kendirci was transported to Harran University Research and Application Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries five days later.

The incident has raised serious concerns regarding workplace safety and the culture of bullying in various environments. Following the event, Aksoy was initially arrested and subsequently released on probation. He was later taken back into custody, though the specific charges he faces have not been disclosed.

This tragic occurrence is not an isolated incident. The use of high-pressure air hoses in similar, fatal pranks has been reported previously. In 2023, another boy, Motilal Sahu, aged 16, died in India after a co-worker inserted a compressed air hose into his rectum “for fun” while at a factory in Hadapsar. The act resulted in severe internal injuries that ultimately led to Sahu’s death.

In another case in 2017, Wesner Moreira da Silva, a seventeen-year-old car wash worker, faced a similar fate when colleagues blasted air into his rectum, causing his intestines to rupture. Following this incident, two individuals, Thiago Giovanni Demarco Sena and Willian Enrique Larrea, were convicted of raping and killing him, receiving sentences exceeding twelve years in prison.

These incidents highlight the risks associated with the misuse of equipment and the grave consequences of such reckless behavior. Authorities are now under pressure to implement stricter regulations and promote safe practices within workplaces to prevent further tragedies.

As investigations continue, the community in Sanliurfa mourns the loss of Muhammed Kendirci, a young life cut short by a senseless act. His family and friends are left to grapple with the aftermath of this horrific event, which serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance against workplace bullying and unsafe practices.