STOCKHOLM/STUTTGART
Turkey's President Abdullah Gul said they consider every possibility on the fire incident in Backnang city of Germany that left eight Turks dead on Sunday.
Saying that Turkish officials were undertaking intense efforts to understand what had happened and since there had been incidents of arson previously in Germany, Gul stated they consider every possibility. President Gul said "it was a big sorrow" but added it was early to say something.
The bodies of the mother and her 7 children will be sent to Turkey for autopsy. It was not clear where they would be buried.
A broken stove or broken electrical wiring were still look like the reason of the fire according to police officials.
-Turkey's Ambassador in Berlin-
Turkey's Ambassador in Berlin, Huseyin Avni Karslioglu said they asked German government to fully investigate the fire. Karslioglu visited the site with the premier of Baden Wurttemberg state, Winfried Kretschman and told press members that despite the deep sorrow, it would not be right to make speculations. He said Turkey's Deputy Premier Bekir Bozdag called him on behalf of Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and he briefed Bozdag on the incident. He said the criminal investigation was under its way and they would wait the result cool headed.
On a question regarding the reason of the fire, Karslioglu said the building was formerly a factory and that there were a lot of wires in the house and there was a problem with the electrical system. Karslioglu said the fire erupted at 4:33 a.m. and the fire fighters arrived the site in four minutes. He said the investigation was under its way but a team from Turkey would come for investigation if necessary.
Premier Kretschman said the incident was a "disaster" and added they would reach a definite conclusion after the experts would complete their investigation. He said it was so sad that most of the deceased were children and passed condolences to Turkish community.
-Turkey's MFA-
Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a written statement that German police officials said there was no indication of a racist element in the incident, but due to former racist attacks the incident should be fully investigated.
-Turkey's Deputy Premier-
Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said they expected Germany to investigate the fire without leaving any doubts behind.
Bozdag told AA correspondent that they got in touch with German government right after the incident and German officials were working on the incident closely. He said Turkish ambassador and consul general were following the development closely and convey Turkish government's messages to German officials
He said the family was living in the second floor of a 3-storey building. A Greek national saw the fire and called the police, Bozdag added. The grandmother and two boys at the ages of 10 and 14 were rescued.
Saying that the reason of the fire should be brought out immediately, without ignoring any possibilities, Bozdag said they hope it would not turn out to be an arson.
