A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Turkey's Kartalkaya ski resort has led to the deaths of at least 76 individuals, marking one of the most catastrophic hotel disasters in Turkish history. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday and has sparked widespread outrage and concern regarding fire safety regulations in hotels.
Guests reported that they did not hear any fire alarms, despite the hotel's claim of possessing a fire competence certificate issued by the fire department. The interior minister revealed that the fire commenced around 03:27 local time in the restaurant area, but many survivors stated they had noticed smoke as early as an hour prior. It took firefighters nearly 45 minutes to respond, exacerbating the situation.
Eyewitness testimonies reveal a chaotic scene as guests on higher floors attempted to escape the flames. Some resorted to jumping from windows or tying bedsheets together in desperate attempts to flee. One survivor, Eylem Senturk, noted that the fire alarm only activated after she had exited the hotel, while another, Atakan Yelkovan, questioned the adequacy of the hotel's fire extinguishing systems.
As investigations proceed, nine individuals, including the hotel owner, have been detained. Experts pointed to the lack of a functional fire safety management system, raising serious doubts about the hotel's compliance with fire safety standards. Kazim Beceren, from the Turkish Fire Protection and Education Foundation, emphasized that in a well-designed facility, fire alarms should respond immediately, warning residents.
The evidence suggests severe inadequacies in the hotel's fire safety infrastructure. The wooden exterior, which was expected to be fire-resistant, has come under scrutiny, as has the apparent absence of an automatic sprinkler system mandated by fire safety regulations. Bolu Mayor Tanju Ozcan criticized the lack of inspections since 2007 and asserted that the tourism ministry should take responsibility for the oversight of the hotel’s safety protocols.
The tragic incident has reignited discussions about fire safety regulation enforcement in Turkey, particularly for older buildings meant for public accommodation. Calls are being made for rigorous inspections of all older hotels and hospitality venues to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
