28 detained in Kartalkaya resort fire investigation: President Erdogan

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that 28 people have been detained in connection with the fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort, Bolu.

Speaking at a parliamentary meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Erdogan stated that 19 of those detained, including the hotel owner, have been formally arrested.

“The number of detainees in the Bolu fire case has risen to 28, with 19 of them placed under arrest,” Erdogan said.

Investigation and accountability

President Erdogan assured that all individuals responsible for the tragedy would be held accountable. “No one will evade responsibility,” he emphasized.

He also noted that the commission established to investigate the incident is continuing its work. “It has already been determined that the fire risk in the hotel was not adequately assessed, and necessary safety measures were not taken,” Erdogan said.

Previous reports indicated that the hotel’s fire alarm system was non-functional and that proper firefighting equipment was lacking.

National mourning and unity

At the start of his speech, Erdogan expressed his condolences to the families of the 78 victims who lost their lives in the fire. “Once again, I pray for mercy for our 78 brothers and sisters who perished in the fire tragedy. The fact that nearly half of the deceased were children deepens our sorrow,” he said.

He also praised the unity displayed by the nation in the aftermath of the disaster. “Our people stood together in the wake of this tragic event, except for a few inconsiderate individuals. The spirit of brotherhood among our nation has once again been reaffirmed.”

Political tensions following the fire

President Erdogan addressed the political reactions following the fire, criticizing the opposition’s response. “We deliberately avoided political debates. However, the main opposition immediately resorted to slander. As we remained silent, opposition figures and media personalities engaged in baseless accusations.”

He further stated that investigations began immediately after the fire, with an eight-member committee tasked with examining the case. “We ensured that investigations were launched promptly to examine all aspects of the disaster. The committee continues its work.”

Municipal oversight and negligence allegations

President Erdogan emphasized the importance of scrutinizing past municipal oversight regarding the hotel’s fire safety measures. “Findings indicate that the hotel’s fire safety violations were previously covered up by municipal officials. This must be examined closely,” he said.

He highlighted concerns about the hotel’s fire safety report being withdrawn in December by municipal authorities. “The issue of this report being concealed by officials must be thoroughly investigated. The fire department chief cited fear as a justification, but later testimonies suggest other factors were at play.”

President Erdogan assured that the legal process will be conducted thoroughly. “The investigation will uncover every detail, shedding light on all unanswered questions.”

Legal consequences for negligence

President Erdogan also vowed that all those responsible for the incident, including officials who failed in their duties, would be held accountable. “We will ensure that those responsible for this catastrophe, whether through negligence or wrongdoing, are brought to justice.”