McDonald's worker sacked for allegedly pouring boiling water on boy

Witnesses say a female employee filled up a glass and tipped scalding water down a boy's neck at a Turkish McDonald's. Photo/123RF

A McDonald's worker has been fired after she was accused of pouring boiling water over a child at a restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey.

Witnesses say a female employee filled up a glass and tipped scalding water down the boy's neck because he was "disturbing customers".

A horrified man intervened when he saw welts appear on the child's skin, while other customers rushed to report the woman to authorities.

The woman, known only as Mutlu H, reportedly claimed it was an accident.

Footage shows a young boy stumbling as he is escorted to a police van outside the restaurant in Nisantasi.

The boy was taken to a nearby station before being sent to the Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Hospital to receive treatment for burns.

Early reports suggest he is Syrian, however, later reports indicate he's actually Turkish and had been sent into the store by his parents to buy water.

The restaurant's manager and employees declined to comment, however, the incident has since been confirmed by McDonald's Turkey.

An investigation is now underway.