Mother and three children had lost their lives: A chain of negligence in the Diyarbakır fire tragedy

A fire that started in the electrical wiring on the ground floor in Diyarbakır engulfed the building in a short time. 36-year-old Bircan Çavdar and her children Yusuf Emre (12), Elif (10), and Zeynep (4) could not be rescued from the building. The family of four was laid to rest at the Yeniköy Cemetery amidst tears.

THERE WERE NO EVACUATION WINDOWS IN THE FIRE ESCAPE

Initial investigations into the tragedy revealed a chain of negligence. It was discovered that the fire escape in the building lacked windows that would allow for smoke ventilation. Apartment resident Hülya Tuşek said, "They could not use the fire escape because there were no windows, and the smoke was trapped inside." It was stated that this situation caused those trapped inside to be affected by the smoke.

FIRE DEPARTMENT REMAINED INADEQUATE, CITIZENS INTERVENED

The delay in responding to the fire also became a subject of debate. Building resident Agit Elgün stated that the fire department intervened late and inadequately, saying, "Employees from a moving company rescued dozens of people. But the fire department could not do what was necessary. This is a chain of negligence." Elgün described the situation by saying, "The fire escape runs through the inside of the building, but there is no evacuation window. The smoke accumulated there. Those who remained inside lost their lives due to smoke inhalation."

Another resident of the complex, Bülent Adıyaman, also drew attention to the tragedy, saying, "In Block D, which is the building where the fire broke out, there is no window for the fire escape. However, these windows are present in the other five blocks of the complex. This is a major act of negligence."

Süleyman Çavdar, who lost his wife and three children in the fire, described the helplessness he felt at the moment of the incident. Çavdar recounted his experience in tears, saying, "I begged the fire department, 'My wife and children are on the eighth floor. They are not visible on the balcony or at the window. Please intervene there first.' But no one heard me." According to the assessment, the mother and her children had headed toward the fire escape. However, they lost their lives there because the smoke could not be ventilated.

Following the incident, the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation by assigning a deputy chief prosecutor and two prosecutors. It was stated that the negligence is being investigated in all its aspects.

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç also expressed his condolences for those who lost their lives in a statement on social media, saying, "The incident is being examined in all its aspects. The judicial process is being carried out meticulously."