Turkish authorities have arrested 19 individuals following a devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, Bolu mountains, which claimed 78 lives. Among those detained are Bolu’s Deputy Mayor Sedat Gulener, Fire Brigade Deputy Director Kenan Coskun, and hotel manager Ahmet Demir.
Investigations revealed the fire began in the kitchen and spread due to the absence of a sprinkler system, with the interior fire escape worsening the disaster by acting as a chimney. Records show the hotel’s safety concerns were flagged but unaddressed, with a December 2024 request for a fire safety report reportedly ignored.
The tragedy has ignited demands for accountability and reforms, as experts criticize the lack of basic fire safety measures in the 12-story wooden structure. Judicial proceedings continue against several suspects, including the hotel’s owner and managers.
