Türkiye unveils investigation findings of ski resort fire that killed 78

The Turkish Parliament commission investigating the Kartalkaya Ski Resort Hotel fire convened under the chairmanship of AK Party Erzurum MP Selami Altinok. The commission is examining the circumstances surrounding the tragic blaze that claimed 78 lives.

Altinok recalled during the opening of the meeting that the commission had previously conducted on-site inspections at the Grand Kartal Hotel. He emphasized that seeing the situation firsthand allowed for a more definitive assessment.

The investigation revealed that the hotel lacked several essential fire safety measures. It was determined that there was no sprinkler system, the emergency exit doors were not fire-resistant or smoke-proof, and there were no portable fire extinguishers or functional automatic fire detection and warning systems in the restaurant and the nearby kitchen area, where the fire is believed to have started.

Safety violations and lack of emergency preparedness

Bekir Akturk, head of guidance and inspection at the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, presented the commission with the findings of the investigation. He noted that two chief labor inspectors visited the site on the day of the incident to evaluate workplace safety conditions.

Akturk revealed several critical safety lapses, including the absence of a sprinkler system, non-fire-resistant and non-smoke-proof emergency exit doors, and a lack of portable fire extinguishers and functional automatic fire detection and warning systems in the restaurant and nearby kitchen area where the fire is believed to have started.

“The building’s wooden structure contributed to the rapid spread of the fire,” Akturk said, adding that the Emergency Plan, last updated in 2020, had not been revised. He also highlighted the lack of an assigned emergency protection team and insufficient safety training for staff and visitors.

Hotels classified as ‘low risk’ for safety inspections

Lutfihak Alpkan, deputy minister of labor and social security, responded to the commission members’ questions following the presentations. Alpkan explained that under current regulations, the incident was classified as a “work accident.”

He said the ministry prioritizes inspections in high-risk sectors such as metal, mining, construction, and large industrial operations. Hotels, categorized as “low risk,” do not receive priority in safety inspections.

“Unfortunately, with 2.5 million businesses and only 500 inspectors, the focus has been on higher-risk industries. This hotel, employing around 70 registered workers, did not fall within our primary inspection priorities,” Alpkan stated.

He noted that since no complaints were filed, and the hotel did not fit into high-risk categories, it had not undergone any prior inspections. Alpkan also pointed out the inspectors’ authority is “limited to workplace safety.”

The investigation into the Grand Kartal Hotel fire has unveiled significant lapses in safety protocols, including inadequate fire safety systems and a lack of emergency preparedness.