Newsletters
A male body recovered off the Kurucesme shoreline on the Istanbul Bosphorus has been identified as missing Russian swimmer Nikolai Svechnikov, who disappeared during the Bogazici Intercontinental Swimming Race in August, according to information in the provided reports. The body, described as heavily deformed, was taken to the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute (Adli Tip Kurumu, ATK) for examination, where standard autopsy procedures and a post-mortem inspection were carried out and DNA samples were collected.
Investigators focused on items found on the body, including a swimsuit. The reports say forensic checks at ATK determined that the swimsuit on the body matched the one Svechnikov wore during the race.
The body had been found in the water and brought ashore by teams from the Marine Port Branch Directorate after a report was made. Initial findings noted the body was missing the head, feet, and arms, and it was wearing swimwear.
Svechnikov, a 30-year-old Russian national, went missing on August 24, 2025, during the 37th edition of the Bogazici Intercontinental Swimming Race, an organized open-water event held on the Istanbul Bosphorus that draws participants to swim across the strait between Europe and Asia.
Search efforts launched at the time did not produce results, but the recovery of a swimmer in a swimsuit months later brought the case back into focus.
An investigation has been launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, according to the reports. The case is being handled in Istanbul because the body was recovered near Kurucesme, a waterfront area on the European side of the Bosphorus in the Besiktas district.
While autopsy procedures continued, Svechnikov’s mother, Galina Svechnikov, traveled from Russia to Istanbul with her husband to provide DNA for identification procedures, the reports say. Speaking at Istanbul Airport, they planned to take the body back to their home country after the formal process was completed.
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
