Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, in a post on his social media account, reported that approximately 16,000 people nationwide went to health facilities on the first day of the holiday due to injuries sustained during the sacrifice, with 1,274 in Ankara, 840 in Istanbul, and 416 in Izmir.
Minister Koca said, “Not having the sacrifices done by professionals leads to such situations. We recommend those who have not yet sacrificed their animals to pay attention to this. Approximately 16,000 people will not be able to enjoy the holiday as they want right from the first day.”
In Istanbul, one person died of a heart attack in the slaughterhouse on the first day of Eid al-Adha, while 916 others were injured while sacrificing animals. The Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate disclosed data on injuries and traffic accidents that occurred during the holiday.
In the statement, it was mentioned that a total of 918 citizens had applied to public hospitals throughout the city until 4:00 pm, of which 74 were transferred to appropriate hospitals by 112 Emergency Health ambulances.
The statement also indicated that 2 people lost their lives, 21 were in moderate condition, and 2 were in critical condition and their treatment was ongoing. The deceased individuals were identified as D.İ, a 56-year-old who had a heart attack in a slaughterhouse in Arnavutköy, and E.A., who lost his life in a traffic accident.
In Ankara, on the first day of Eid al-Adha, many people who were injured while trying to sacrifice their animals sought treatment at hospitals. Salih Gültekin, who came to Ankara Bilkent City Hospital with an injured arm while sacrificing an animal, narrated his story with a smile.
Gültekin, who has been sacrificing animals for many years and experienced such an accident for the first time, said, “My friend accidentally stabbed my arm while cutting the meat. There is no problem at the moment.”
In the following days of the holiday, there is an expectation of an increase in injuries caused by meat grinders, urging citizens to entrust the job to professionals.
Ankara Bilkent City Hospital Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic Associate Professor Dr. Hasan Murat Ergani stated that the emergency departments are busy due to injuries during animal sacrifices. Ergani pointed out that most of the people who applied to the hospital were ‘amateur butchers’ attempting to sacrifice despite not being professionals.
Dr. Burak Yaşar mentioned that they have a busy day in the emergency room on the first day of the holiday, where both professionals and amateurs are getting injured. He explained that professionals are more likely to get injured because they do not use protective equipment. Overconfidence leads to more injuries.
In Izmir, 416 people who were injured while sacrificing animals were treated at hospitals and later discharged. The Izmir Provincial Health Directorate stated that 416 people sought emergency care at hospitals between 5:00 am and 6:00 pm due to injuries sustained during animal sacrifices.
Meanwhile, the Buca Municipality law enforcement officers conducted inspections in Zafer Mahallesi following reports of animal waste being dumped during the sacrifice. It was found that the owner of the property who was granted permission for the slaughter did not comply with the rules. The individual was fined in accordance with Law No. 43/1, and the area was cleaned up.
