Ece Gürel’s Search and Rescue Story: A Sharing from Her Husband Sezer Gürel
In a recent heart-stopping moment, Turkey held its breath as Istanbul’s Belgrad Forest became the focal point of attention. Mimar Ece Gürel, who went out for a walk last Sunday and couldn’t be reached since then, sparked a massive search and rescue operation. After four days of intense searching, there came the joyful news about Ece. The search and rescue volunteer who found the young woman shared the moments of the rescue, while Sezer Gürel made a noteworthy sharing. Here are the details of this breaking news.
Ece Gürel, who went missing in Istanbul, took the country’s headlines by storm. After leaving home for a walk on Sunday, Gürel couldn’t be reached ever since.
After 4 days, a heartwarming news arrived as Ece Gürel was found sleeping by the riverside. She was immediately taken to the hospital after the initial intervention. Turan Altun, the search and rescue volunteer who found Ece Gürel, shared his experience, stating, “When we first found her, her lips were trembling. Her eyes were open but her body was completely frozen after 72 hours. We put a thermal blanket on her, gave her jackets. Six minutes after her body warmed up, she started making noises and shouting. We felt her nerves were intact, and her shouting was a sign of that. We were mostly relieved. We carried her for about 2 kilometers to the main road.”
Sezer Gürel, Ece’s husband, expressed their immense joy, saying, “May God bless everyone. We froze, we shivered. What did she go through there for those days? I saw my wife’s photo, and I felt very relieved. I will not leave her again. I will not ask her another question, I will not let her go again.”
Moreover, Ece’s mother, Gülşen Koçoğlu, shared information about Ece’s health condition, stating, “I had lost hope. At the moment when my hopes were exhausted, we received good news. When I first heard the news, I jumped with joy.” She added that Ece is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.
Sezer Gürel, overwhelmed with tears of happiness, shared a touching message after Ece Gürel was found. Posting pictures with his wife, he wrote, “Happy first day of your new life, my love. Happy birthday, my love.”
In an official statement from the Istanbul Governorship, it was announced that Ece Güler was found safe in the steep forest area at 01:15 on the 6th of March, 2025, after going missing while visiting the Belgrad Forest.
Before going missing, Ece Gürel had been in contact with a friend in England. It was revealed that she had sent a photo of herself walking in the forest, mentioning, “We walked from here,” and “It’s getting crowded, couldn’t find the main spot,” followed by “I got lost.” In the messages, it was apparent that she was trying to reach a point she had previously visited with her friend.
Ece Gürel’s Instagram conversation went as follows:
Ece: I’m leaving, let’s see…
Ece: We walked from here
Friend: Yes…
Ece: It’s getting crowded, couldn’t find the main spot
Ece: I’m going this way
Ece: We didn’t walk this way
Ece: We went to the dam
Ece: I got lost
Ece: I sat down, my soul stayed behind
Friend: You did well, baby, I just got out of the market
Friend: You’re awesome, sweetheart
Ece: I’ll tell you when I’m found
Friend: Baby, what did you do? Isn’t your navigation on?
The story of Ece Gürel’s search and rescue mission not only highlights the dedication of the teams involved but also showcases the power of hope and the strength of love in reuniting families. A tale of courage, resilience, and the unwavering bond between loved ones, Ece’s journey serves as a reminder of the importance of community, support, and never giving up on those we hold dear.
