Istanbul: Four German tourists have died in an Istanbul hotel after suffering from food poisoning, according to Turkish media.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the tourists were poisoned by aluminum phosphide. The victims, all from the same family, consisted of a husband, wife, and their two children, aged six and three. The family had arrived in Istanbul from Germany several days prior to the incident.

The report stated that local authorities have closed the Harbor Suites hotel, where the family was staying, and have detained 11 suspects for questioning. Investigations are focusing on whether inadequate pest control measures could have led to the poisoning.

Earlier reports suggested that a pest control operation had taken place at the hotel a few days before the tragedy. Experts are examining whether the use of agricultural pesticides during this campaign might have contributed to the deaths.

A Haber television noted that forensic investigators found that bedbug treatment had been conducted just hours before the family began exhibiting symptoms of poisoning. The insecticide, aluminum phosphide, is suspected of having entered the family's room through the bathroom ventilation system, leading to their poisoning.

Experts warn that aluminum phosphide, commonly used for combating cockroaches and bedbugs, can be lethal if inhaled in significant quantities.