Bolu hotel fire: Minister says municipality should have reported hotel’s eight defects

As investigations into the deadly fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Turkish city of Bolu continue, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy shared key details about the incident and addressed some of the public’s questions. The fire, which claimed 78 lives, has sparked intense debate over potential negligence and regulatory failures.

Ersoy, speaking during a live broadcast on CNN Turk, emphasized that much of the information circulating about the disaster is unclear. He explained that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism does not have the authority to license or oversee the building.

“If it is within the municipality’s jurisdiction, the responsibility falls to the municipality. If it is outside the municipality, it falls under the special provincial administration,” Ersoy clarified.

Negligence and investigation

The fire, which broke out early Tuesday morning at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, a popular ski resort in Bolu, has raised serious questions about the safety measures in place. Initial findings suggest that the hotel’s smoke detectors and alarm system may have failed to function properly.

Witnesses reported that the alarms did not sound during the fire, and smoke detectors appeared to be non-operational.

The ongoing investigation has led to the arrest of two people, including the hotel owner, as authorities work to uncover the cause of the blaze.

Meanwhile, Ersoy pointed out that the Ministry of Culture’s role is limited to two key areas in tourism centers: “Zoning plans and public land allocation for tourism purposes.”

He also noted that the Bolu municipality should have reported the hotel’s eight defects.

‘Competence should come from fire brigade’

Ersoy also explained that fire brigades are responsible for issuing fire competence certificates, and local fire brigades are the only authorities authorized to inspect fire safety measures.

“Our ministries or other official institutions cannot grant these certificates. The competence should come from the fire brigade,” he said.

The investigation has prompted a team of prosecutors and experts to examine the cause of the fire and identify those responsible for the tragedy.

On the other hand, experts from Istanbul Technical University’s Disaster Management Institute, specializing in fire protection, have been enlisted to assist in determining the origin of the blaze.

The Kartalkaya ski resort, located about 295 kilometers (183 miles) east of Istanbul, is one of Türkiye’s premier winter destinations, attracting thousands of tourists each season.