Reuters Journalist Umit Ozdal Dies at 44

By Botan Times
May 1, 2025

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey — Umit Ozdal, a veteran Reuters correspondent with a distinguished 21-year career in journalism, died today at the age of 44.

Mr. Ozdal had been hospitalized for 52 days in a coma following a brain hemorrhage. After briefly showing signs of improvement — moving his finger and breathing without mechanical assistance — his condition progressively deteriorated, according to family members.

Family, friends, and colleagues maintained a vigil outside Diyarbakir Hospital for days, hoping for positive news that never came.

Career and Legacy

Mr. Ozdal’s journalism career spanned multiple prominent news organizations in the region. He served as a correspondent for Reuters for the past 12 years, covering significant events throughout the Middle East.

Prior to joining Reuters, he worked for Anadolu Agency, Kurdistan24, and Kurdistan TV. He also collaborated as an independent journalist with noted reporters Mahmut Bozarslan and Murat Bayram.

When Botan International launched operations in 2020, Mr. Ozdal served as an adviser to the organization and later trained its staff in journalistic practices.

Tributes

Botan International issued a statement following the announcement of his death: “We mourn the loss of our friend and colleague Umit Ozdal. May his family and loved ones find strength in this difficult time. We will miss him, and he will remain in our memories as a cherished friend.”

Colleagues remember him as a dedicated professional committed to accurate reporting in a region often fraught with challenges for journalists.

This article was translated and formatted from Botan Times Kurdish(May 1, 2025).

Ji ber krîza aborî ti xebatkarên daîmî yên Botan Timesê nînin. Murat Bayram bi dildarî weşanê didomîne. Heger hûn bixwazin em li ser pêyan bimînin piştgirîya me bikin. Ji bo piştgirîyê bibin abone. Ji 200 hezar xwendevanên me û 5 hezar şopînerên qenala me ya YouTubeyê li ser hev 500 kes bibin abone em dikarin li ser pêyan bimînin.