Tragic Fire Claims 78 Lives at Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu
In a heartbreaking turn of events, a devastating fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu’s Kartalkaya on Tuesday night, claiming the lives of 78 individuals. The catastrophe that shook Turkey to its core revealed the negligence of the Bolu Municipality, according to the ongoing investigation.
Missed Inspections and Fatal Consequences
Shockingly, a December 12 inspection conducted by experts from the Bolu Municipality Fire Department deemed the hotel inadequate in terms of fire safety. However, the unfavorable report was never conveyed to the authorities. The hotel, seeking to evade scrutiny, requested the cancellation of the inspection. Grand Kartal Hotel submitted a request for cancellation on December 24, 2024. Just a day later, on December 25, 2024, Bolu Deputy Mayor Sedat Gülener canceled the inspection on behalf of the fire department.
A Startling Admission: Kadir Özdemir’s Confession
Kadir Özdemir, a manager in the accounting department at Grand Kartal Hotel, was the individual who applied for the fire safety inspection at the hotel. Following his arrest as part of the investigation, Özdemir confessed to the relationship between the Bolu Municipality and the hotel authorities.
According to Özdemir’s statement, after his application on December 12, 2024, experts from the Bolu Municipality Fire Department conducted an inspection at the hotel. Upon finding the facilities unsuitable for fire safety, a report was prepared and submitted to the fire department.
Disturbing Revelations and Negligence
During his interrogation, Özdemir disclosed, “I learned from my subordinate, C., that the inspection report from the fire department was negative. Subsequently, I informed the company’s manager, Ahmet Demir, about the situation.” He further elaborated on the events, stating, “I informed Ahmet Demir that we received a negative report regarding the hotel’s fire safety. In response, Ahmet Demir spoke to Deputy Mayor Sedat Gülener. Gülener instructed him to submit a cancellation request. Following this directive, we prepared the cancellation request. I also discussed these matters with the General Manager of Grand Kartal Hotel, Emir Aras.”
Financial Concerns Over Public Safety
Emir Aras expressed his views to Özdemir, stating, “It is very costly to address these deficiencies. If we can cancel the inspection, let’s do it.” The prioritization of financial considerations over public safety underscores the alarming negligence that contributed to the tragic loss of lives at Grand Kartal Hotel.
As the investigation unfolds, it is imperative to hold all responsible parties accountable for their roles in this preventable disaster. The lesson learned from this devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of adhering to safety regulations to avoid such catastrophic consequences in the future.
