He was on his way to the YKS exam: tragedy in Gaziantep, family in tears
A heartbreaking traffic accident overshadowed the university entrance exam morning in Gaziantep. In Karkamış district, a car carrying two young relatives rushing to make it to the Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) collided with a truck at a junction. Nineteen-year-old Fatih İnal, one of the two students in the vehicle, later lost his life in hospital, plunging his family into deep mourning. An investigation into the crash has been launched.
The accident took place in the early hours near the rural Soylu neighbourhood of Karkamış. According to initial findings, a car driven by 19-year-old Fatih İnal collided with a TIR operated by a driver identified as Ahmet A. at a crossroads. The violent impact left the car badly damaged and both young men inside seriously injured.
It was learned that Fatih İnal and his 19-year-old relative, also named Ahmet İnal, were on their way to Nizip district to sit the Basic Proficiency Test (TYT) session of the YKS, one of the most critical exams for young people in Türkiye. Their goal was to arrive in time for the morning session, which plays a decisive role in university placement. Instead, the journey turned into a disaster just kilometres away from their destination.
Following the collision, health teams were dispatched to the scene. Emergency responders provided first aid to the two injured students and transported them by ambulance to hospital. Despite all efforts by doctors, driver Fatih İnal, whose condition was reported as critical from the outset, could not be saved and died in hospital. News of the young man’s death devastated his family, who burst into tears upon hearing what had happened.
The other student in the car, 19-year-old Ahmet İnal, was also injured in the crash. He was taken under treatment, and medical staff reported that his care is ongoing. No detailed public statement has yet been made about the exact nature of his injuries or his long-term prognosis, but he is receiving close monitoring in hospital.
After passing away, Fatih İnal’s body was transferred to the Gaziantep Forensic Medicine Institution morgue for further examination and standard post-accident procedures. Funeral arrangements are expected to be made following the completion of official processes. The loss of such a young life, on a day that was supposed to be a turning point for his future, has deeply shaken those who knew him.
Authorities stated that a formal investigation into the accident has been opened. Traffic teams are examining the junction where the collision occurred, taking statements from the truck driver and witnesses, and evaluating whether factors such as speed, driver error, visibility at the crossroads, or lack of signage contributed to the tragedy. The results of this investigation will be crucial in clarifying how a morning that began as an exam day ended in sorrow.
The incident has reignited concerns about road safety on exam days, when thousands of students across the country rush to reach exam centres on time. Stress, lack of sleep, early morning hours and the pressure not to be late can all lead to lapses in attention both for students and for family members driving them. Experts frequently emphasise that planning the journey in advance, leaving home early, and prioritising safety over speed are critical on such high-stakes days.
YKS, and particularly the TYT session, is widely considered one of the most important exams in a Turkish student’s life. For many young people, it represents the gateway to university education and future careers. Against this backdrop, the emotional weight of this accident is even heavier: a family that had prepared for months for exam day instead had to confront the reality of an unexpected death.
Psychologists underline that traffic accidents involving young exam candidates can have long-term emotional effects not only on the families directly affected, but also on their peers and teachers. Seeing a peer lose his life on the way to an exam can heighten anxiety and fear among other students, turning an already stressful process into a trauma-laden memory. In these situations, providing psychological support and open communication to young people can help them process what has happened.
Local residents in the Karkamış-Nizip region have often drawn attention to the risks at rural junctions, where heavy trucks and smaller vehicles intersect on narrow roads. In such areas, visibility can be limited, and speed limits are not always strictly observed. Traffic specialists stress the importance of improving road markings, installing warning signs, increasing lighting where needed, and conducting more frequent checks, especially at locations where serious accidents have been recorded.
This fatal crash also highlights the broader issue of young drivers on the road. Nineteen-year-olds, many of whom are relatively new behind the wheel, may have less experience handling stressful situations such as time pressure, heavy traffic or unexpected manoeuvres from other drivers. Training programs that focus not just on passing the driving test but also on defensive driving and risk awareness could play a vital role in reducing similar tragedies.
Communities and educators sometimes organise support services on exam days, such as free transportation or guidance on safe travel planning, to ensure students reach exam centres calmly and safely. Authorities and civil initiatives may be encouraged to expand such practices, particularly in rural districts and small towns where public transportation options can be limited and students are more often dependent on private vehicles.
Beyond official measures, families are also urged to reassess their habits around exam days. Ensuring that the driver is well-rested, checking the vehicle’s condition beforehand, leaving home with ample time, and choosing safer though sometimes longer routes are small but meaningful steps. The aim is to avoid making decisions behind the wheel under the pressure of “we must arrive right now,” which can lead to misjudgements in critical moments.
As the investigation into the accident in Karkamış continues, one fact remains painfully clear: a young man who set out with hopes of shaping his future through the YKS exam lost his life before even reaching the exam hall. His story stands as a stark reminder that no exam, no appointment and no deadline is more important than human life, and that road safety must always come first.