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Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek remains in critical condition after suffering severe organ damage from an electric shock at his home on June 6, according to hospital officials.
"The process is a difficult process; unfortunately, there is serious organ damage," Chief Physician Ismet Topcu said during a press briefing at Manisa Celal Bayar University Hafsa Sultan Hospital.
Zeyrek was electrocuted around 11:30 p.m. while attempting to repair a malfunction in the pool machinery room at his residence in the Kecilikoy neighborhood.
Emergency medical teams reached the scene after a call to the 112 Emergency Call Center. Teams found Zeyrek with no heartbeat and immediately began cardiac massage.
He was transported by ambulance to Hafsa Sultan Hospital, where cardiac massage continued for approximately 35 minutes.
Zeyrek’s heart was revived roughly 70 minutes after the incident, medical staff confirmed.
Topcu described the 34-hour intensive care period as highly challenging, noting that Zeyrek has suffered serious organ damage. “We’ve now completed 34 hours in intensive care. It’s been an extremely difficult process,” he said. “We are moving forward by determining the most appropriate treatment approach within this framework.”
Topcu explained that it’s not possible to link the elapsed time directly to the extent of damage, saying, “We continue treatment based on the current condition. The heart stoppage or need for support was caused by an electrical shock, which, unlike a typical burn, is a form of injury that damages internal organs.”
The chief physician emphasized that while the condition is currently stable, it could change at any moment.
"The situation is stable for now, but it can change at any moment. For us, this is a difficult patient. The treatment process requires great care," he said.
Topcu confirmed that with Health Ministry support, experts in the field from across Türkiye were consulted.
"A group was formed, and consultations were held regarding the effectiveness, guidance, and continuation of the treatments being carried out," he said.
In a later statement, Topcu said Zeyrek had responded positively to some treatment methods.
"The intensive care process is very dynamic. Anything can happen at any time; it can change. His general condition is critical. All the procedures that need to be done are being successfully implemented in our institution," Topcu said.
Zeyrek was connected to an ECMO device to support heart and lung functions, and dialysis was applied to ensure urine output. The chief physician noted these were positive developments.
“This is not a treatment process that a single specialist can manage,” Topcu said. “Cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists, neurologists, anesthesiologists, and intensive care teams are all working around the clock at the patient’s bedside.”
He emphasized that Zeyrek's lack of previous heart problems and young age were factors contributing to positive responses to treatments.
The hospital chief said it was too early to wake Zeyrek and check brain functions, noting that treatments related to basic life functions were currently being performed.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called CHP General Chairman Ozgur Ozel to express get-well wishes for Zeyrek.
Great Unity Party (BBP) General Chairman Mustafa Destici also called Ozel, saying, "I convey my get-well wishes to Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek and his family, who were hospitalized as seriously injured as a result of the unfortunate accident he had at home, and I wish speedy recovery from Almighty Allah."
The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson, Omer Celik, posted on social media, "Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek was hospitalized following a sad accident. We convey our get-well wishes primarily to his family and the CHP community. We hope that Mr. Zeyrek will recover as soon as possible."
Republican People's Party (CHP) Manisa Provincial Chairman Ilksen Ozalper thanked hospital staff working for approximately 36 hours on Zeyrek's treatment and visiting officials who came to express get-well wishes.
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