Tragic hotel fire in Bolu claims lives of 14 family members
Zehra Sena Gultekin's husband and children. (Photo via UMKE)
A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, Bolu, has resulted in the deaths of 14 family members, including Turkish Airlines (THY) employee Zehra Sena Gultekin.
The victims, who had traveled to the region for a family vacation, died in the fire along with Gultekin’s husband, three children and several relatives.
Gultekin’s final moments: A heartbreaking goodbye
In the middle of the fire, Gultekin made a final phone call to her mother, Habibe Guner, a Justice and Development Party (AK Party) founding member, to bid her farewell.
The tragic call was made as Gultekin, along with her family, faced the horrors of the blaze. Her father is Mehmet Guner, a former AK Party member of Parliament.
Family’s vacation turns to tragedy
Gultekin and her family, including her husband, three children and nine other relatives, had gone to Kartalkaya for a mid-term holiday. However, the fire at the hotel took their lives, leaving the community devastated.
The funeral for the victims will take place on Wednesday after the noon prayer at Kalici Konutlar Mosque, Bolu.
President Erdogan to visit fire-affected region
On Wednesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to visit Bolu to inspect the scene of the fire and meet with those injured in the incident. Former AK Party Bolu MP Mehmet Guner and his wife Habibe Guner are also expected to attend the funeral of their children.
This tragedy has profoundly impacted the nation, as many express their sympathy and condolences to the grieving family.
Turkish Airlines expresses condolences for Gultekin
THY released an official statement Wednesday expressing condolences to Gultekin, a longtime employee who lost her life along with her family in the Bolu hotel fire in Türkiye.
“The tragic hotel fire in Kartalkaya, Bolu, has deeply saddened us all. First and foremost, I extend my condolences to all those who lost their lives, wishing patience and strength to their loved ones and a swift recovery to the injured,” THY Chairman of the Board, Ahmet Bolat, stated.
The airlines expressed profound sadness regarding the loss of their colleague, who had dedicated many years to the Sales Analysis and Projects Support Directorate, along with her family.
“May all those who have passed rest in peace. Our deepest sympathies go out to our nation and the Turkish Airlines family,” read the statement.
School pays tribute to child victims of Bolu fire
Palet Schools Basaksehir Campus also issued a condolence message mourning the loss of their students who perished in the fire.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our students Muhammed Selim Gultekin and Bekir Sadik Gultekin, as well as our graduate Yusuf Sinaneddin Gultekin, who lost their lives along with their family members Zehra Sena Gultekin and Bilal Gultekin in the Bolu hotel fire.
This heartbreaking incident has left us in deep sorrow. We extend our condolences to the families, loved ones, and the entire education community.
We share the grief of the Gultekin family and remember them with love and longing. We firmly believe that our entire educational community feels this loss deeply, and we pledge to honor the memory of our students forever.”
The tragic loss of 14 family members in the Bolu hotel fire has deeply affected the nation. Condolences from institutions reflect the widespread sorrow as Türkiye mourns the victims with profound respect.
