Tourist Beaten on Alanya Beach Sparks Business Closure, Investigation

A tourist was violently assaulted by resort workers on Damlatas Beach in Alanya, Turkey, after refusing to pay for an expensive sunbed and instead placing his belongings on the sand. The altercation, witnessed by many beachgoers, escalated quickly from a dispute over sunbed rental fees to a physical attack, which was captured on video and widely circulated on social media. Alanya District Governor Fatih Ürkmezer condemned the incident, shutting down the sunbed operation and initiating judicial and administrative investigations, emphasizing that such behavior contradicts the city's hospitality values and will not be tolerated. The beach business owner, Serhan Koçaroğlu, disputed the tourist's account, claiming the tourist was intoxicated and provoked the confrontation, and expressed regret over the negative impact on Alanya's image. The incident has sparked outrage online, highlighting concerns over tourist safety and the management of beach services in popular Turkish destinations. Authorities have vowed to address the issue to protect the region's reputation as a premier tourist spot.