Mysterious Disappearance of Hamza Duras; 22 Days of Silence from Young Student in Turkey

The disappearance of Hamza Duras, a third-year computer engineering student at Yeditepe University, has become one of the most followed news stories in Turkey. The 22-year-old young man, who told his family on May 31, 2026, that he was heading to Istanbul for final exams, has had no contact with the outside world for 22 days, leaving his fate shrouded in mystery [1].

Details of Disappearance and Last Clues Police investigations and CCTV footage reveal that Hamza did not go to Istanbul as he claimed. He boarded a bus on May 31 but got off midway and returned to the Safranbolu district. Reports indicate that he stayed in different hotels in the city for two nights and was last seen shopping at a supermarket [3]. Communication with his family was cut off starting June 3, and his mobile phone became completely unreachable on June 9, causing severe concern and leading his family to file an official missing person report on June 13 [2].

Massive Search Operation in Çamtarla Area By tracking Hamza's last mobile phone signals, rescue teams have focused their efforts on the "Çamtarla" forest area. Oktay Çağatay, the Governor of Karabük, announced that an area of 45 square kilometers, including valleys, caves, and difficult terrain, has been fully scanned [3]. More than 60 personnel from the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), Gendarmerie, Police, and volunteer groups are participating in this operation. Additionally, advanced equipment such as thermal drones, K9 search dogs, and even reconnaissance drones from the Gendarmerie General Command are being used to find any trace of the student [1][4].

Bitter Wait for the Family and Official Statements Şenol Duras, Hamza's father, expressed hope to the media that his son would be found soon. Noting that his son had occasionally not answered his phone before due to exam pressure, he said: "We thought he was in Istanbul. Now, our only wish is to hear news of his safety" [4]. The Governor of Karabük also emphasized that all state resources have been mobilized for this search, and operations will continue in forest areas and riverbanks until a definitive result is reached [3]. After 22 days, no personal belongings or clues indicating Hamza's current status have been found.