Man weighing 310kg dies of heart attack in Turkey, body removed by goods lift

Barış Yıldırım, 49, who had been battling obesity-related health issues for years, died of a heart attack on Tuesday in the Nazilli district of Aydın, Turkey.

Yıldırım, who was bedridden and weighed around 310 kilograms, had undergone gastric sleeve surgery in July at a hospital in Denizli in a bid to improve his health. After being discharged, he returned to his home on 349 Street in the Aydoğdu neighbourhood, where he had been living under the care of his family.

On Tuesday, Yıldırım reportedly suffered sudden chest pains and collapsed. Emergency services were called, but despite intervention, he could not be revived. Authorities confirmed he died of a heart attack.

The effort to remove his body from the apartment drew attention from neighbors and passersby. Because of his weight, it was not possible to bring the body down through the narrow staircase of the building. Firefighters and municipal workers were called in, and with the assistance of a goods lift, Yıldırım’s body was carefully lowered from his apartment window.

The body was later transported to the morgue at Nazilli State Hospital. Following the necessary formalities, Yıldırım is expected to be buried at Eğriboyun Cemetery.

Yıldırım’s death highlights the severe health risks associated with obesity, which remains a growing public health challenge in Turkey. Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the most common procedures for patients struggling with morbid obesity, but recovery often requires long-term lifestyle changes and medical follow-up.