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A 17-year-old student stabbed two teachers and a fellow student at a high school in Istanbul’s Cekmekoy district on March 2.
Biology teacher Fatma Nur Celik later died in the hospital.
The attack took place around 11 a.m. at Tasdelen Borsa Istanbul Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School. According to official statements, the suspect, F.S.B. brought a knife to school and injured teachers Fatma Nur Celik, 44, and Z.A., 52, as well as 15-year-old student S.K.
Health and police teams arrived at the scene after emergency calls. Doctors transferred the injured to nearby hospitals. Celik, who was reported to be in critical condition, died despite medical intervention. Authorities said the other teacher and the student are receiving treatment and do not face a life-threatening condition.
The police have detained the 17-year-old suspect, and the investigation is ongoing.
New details have intensified public reaction. According to reports, Celik had raised concerns about safety at the same school last year after a separate stabbing incident between students.
Journalist Rojda Altintas reported that Celik told a teachers’ board meeting, “Can guvenligimiz yok, siradaki biz olabiliriz,” meaning “We have no life safety, we could be next.” During that meeting, teachers reportedly listed three students considered high risk. One of the names given was F.S.B., the student now accused of killing her.
Bursaport also reported that the suspect allegedly planned the attack. The outlet said his father had taken him out of Bakirkoy Mazhar Osman Mental Health and Neurological Diseases Hospital two days earlier. The report claims the student checked the school timetable to learn when Celik would be in class and entered her classroom directly before launching the attack.
Officials have not yet released further details about the motive.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office opened a judicial investigation immediately after the attack.
Gurlek said that those responsible “will be held accountable before the law.”
The Ministry of National Education announced it had appointed an education inspector and launched an administrative investigation. In a written statement, the ministry confirmed that guidance and psychological support services have begun at the school.
The Istanbul Governor’s Office also confirmed the timeline of the attack and said authorities are continuing their investigation.
Education unions across Istanbul announced a one-day strike on March 3 in response to the killing.
The unions that declared a work stoppage include:
Some unions said teachers would not enter classrooms and would hold statements in front of provincial education directorates.
At the same time, officials clarified that there is no general school closure across Istanbul. The Istanbul Governor’s Office has not announced a citywide suspension of classes. The Ministry of National Education has also not declared a national holiday.
Authorities urged parents and students to follow official statements from the Governor’s Office and the ministry rather than social media claims.
The killing of Celik, who reportedly had a child in primary school and shared videos of herself singing folk songs on social media, has intensified debate over school security and raised broader questions about youth violence in Türkiye.
Judicial and administrative investigations remain underway.
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