Vacationer dies in Turkey after headfirst dive into 50cm water
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- 39-year-old Arif Erman dies after diving headfirst into knee-deep water.
- Erman bypasses ropes and no-diving signs before jumping.
- Hotel surveillance captures the dive and subsequent rescue attempt.
A 39-year-old father of three lost his life while on holiday in southern Turkey after running and diving headfirst into knee-deep sea water from a hotel pier, bypassing warning signs prohibiting diving.
The incident occurred around 3:00 PM at a coastal hotel in the Konaklı neighborhood of Alanya, Antalya province.
The vacationer, identified as Arif Erman—a resident of Sakarya's Sapanca district—approached the hotel pier where protective ropes and warning signs clearly prohibited jumping or diving due to hazardous water levels.
Security camera footage reviewed by authorities captured Erman stepping up to the edge of the pier, looking out at the sea, and then stepping back several meters to build momentum.
Despite warning signs posted along the deck, Erman sprinted past the protective ropes and launched himself headfirst into the sea. The water depth at the point of impact was measured at approximately 50 centimeters.
CONFIRMED: A father of three has died after diving from a hotel pier into extremely shallow water while on vacation in Türkiye.
— Planet Report HQ (@PlanetReportHQ) September 5, 2026
39-year-old Arif Erman reportedly jumped into water only around 50 cm deep in Alanya, striking his head on the bottom and suffering a fatal neck… pic.twitter.com/Aaf9SFeL1Z
A hotel lifeguard posted on the pier immediately dove into the water upon seeing the impact. The lifeguard pulled a severely injured Erman from the sea and began administering CPR on site while emergency medical services were dispatched.
Erman was rushed to a nearby hospital by ambulance. Despite emergency medical interventions by doctors, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
Arrangements are being made to transport Erman's body back to his hometown of Sapanca for burial. Turkish authorities have opened an official investigation into the hotel's safety measures and the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
