In Turkey, a trial has commenced involving thirty-two individuals linked to a tragic fire at a luxury ski resort hotel that resulted in the deaths of 78 people, including 36 children. This unfortunate incident occurred in January, as reported by local media.
- Advertisement -
On the early morning of January 21, the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya was engulfed by flames, leading to the loss of entire families. The devastating fire injured over 130 people and left the 12-storey hotel in ruins.
Concerns about fire safety protocols at the hotel have escalated, with family members of the victims alleging that negligence played a significant role in the high death toll. Survivors, alongside safety experts, claimed that the hotel’s fire alarm system was inoperative during the incident.
A visual of the ski resort’s facade post-fire starkly illustrates the devastation.
Among those facing manslaughter charges, as outlined in the indictment, are the hotel owner, management, board members, the deputy mayor of Bolu city, and two officials from the fire department. Such a broad range of defendants highlights the complexity of the case.
Prior to the hearing, families of the victims gathered outside Bolu High School, where the trial is being held, displaying portraits of their loved ones. They issued a heartfelt statement, alleging numerous safety violations and attempts to obscure evidence. As they articulated, “During the fire, the owners, managers, and employees of the Grand Kartal Hotel failed to alert guests or activate the alarm system. Instead, they rushed to save their cars while our loved ones suffocated in the smoke.”
They further claimed that a safety inspection carried out merely a month before the inferno revealed significant deficiencies in fire safety, but hotel management disregarded the findings citing high costs. “We know that the authorities turned a blind eye to this negligence, evidence was concealed, and camera recordings were deleted,” they asserted.
At the time of the tragedy, both the tourism ministry and Bolu city council exchanged blame, creating an atmosphere of confusion and frustration among the victims’ families.
Given the substantial number of defendants and plaintiffs—210 civil parties—the Bolu High Criminal Court is convening in the sports hall of the secondary school.
Notably, Özgür Özel, leader of the main opposition CHP, is expected to attend the proceedings, as confirmed by the social-democratic party. The trial is projected to persist for two weeks, illuminating the urgent need for accountability in matters of public safety.
“The time has come to reflect on the value of human life and the importance of safeguarding it,” a grieving family member acknowledged in a poignant remark.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
