We have learned with deep sorrow that eight Turkish people, including seven children, died in a house fire started in a building where Turkish families reside as well early in the morning of 10th March 2013 in Backnang in Germany

As a result of initial investigations conducted by the German authorities the German police announced that racist motives have not been found in the incident. Despite this, it is important to conduct a wide scale investigation with utmost care to find the actual cause of the fire taking into account that, in the past, several Turkish people have died as a result of arsons set with racist motives. In this respect, we expect German authorities to finalize the investigation in a shortest time.

Turkish Ambassador in Berlin have arrived to Backnang to visit the families of the deceased together with Prime Minister of Baden Württemberg and have information about the incident. Turkish Consul General in Stuttgart is also carrying out contacts and examinations in the incident scene.

We wish mercy upon our citizens who lost their lives in this fire and convey our condolences and wish patience to their bereaved families and to the Turkish community in Germany.