Search for missing 11-month-old in Sivas enters 10th day with no trace

September 20, 2026 at 05:41 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Search teams in Sivas's Divriği district have found no trace of 11-month-old Büşra Balıkçı, missing since September 10. AFAD, commando and gendarmerie units are using AI-assisted drones and tracking dogs across a 3-square-kilometer area. Six relatives, including the baby's parents, remain in custody as the investigation continues.

Key Facts

Büşra Balıkçı, 11 months old, was reported missing from her family's tent in İncedere Yaylası on September 10.
Search teams include 58 personnel, 9 vehicles, and 2 tracking dogs, according to TRT Haber.
Cumhuriyet reports 56 personnel and 7 vehicles are involved in the search.
The search area covers approximately 3 square kilometers from the tent where the baby was last seen.
Six suspects, including the baby's parents Elif and Yusuf Balıkçı, have been arrested.

Search Operations

AFAD, commando and gendarmerie teams are conducting searches with AI-assisted drones and tracking dogs. TRT Haber reports 58 personnel, 9 vehicles, and 2 tracking dogs are deployed in the İncedere Yaylası area. Cumhuriyet reports 56 personnel and 7 vehicles are involved in the search. Teams have found no trace or evidence belonging to the missing baby. Gendarmerie units control entry and exit to the area.

Investigation and Arrests

Elif Balıkçı, 27, reported her daughter missing on September 10 after failing to find her in the family tent. Twelve suspects were initially detained, including the baby's father Yusuf Balıkçı, 41, and mother Elif Balıkçı. Six suspects, including the parents, uncle M.R.B., aunt R.B., and relatives Ö.B. and M.B., were arrested. Three suspects—K.D., M.D., and İ.B.—were released under judicial control. A suspect detained in Diyarbakır, M.K., was also released under judicial control after questioning.

Conflicting Claims

Mother Elif Balıkçı claimed in her statement that the father killed the baby and left her in the field. Father Yusuf Balıkçı denied the accusations. A search at the location indicated by the mother found no evidence. A broadcast ban was imposed by the Sulh Ceza Hakimliği at the request of the Divriği Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.