Responsibility crisis after the fire in Kartalkaya: Where is Minister Ersoy?

In statements made following the fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel, discussions regarding the hotel's fire safety inspections have come to the fore.

While Minister Ersoy stated that the responsibility for the hotel's inspections lies with the Bolu Municipality, Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan argued that because the region is a tourism zone, the inspection authority belongs to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Özcan further stated that the municipality has not issued a positive fire safety report for the hotel since 2007.

WHY IS MINISTER ERSOY NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY?

In the investigation launched after the disaster, 11 people, including the hotel owner and a deputy mayor, were detained.

However, the fact that the Minister of Tourism has not made a more comprehensive statement regarding the fire and has not taken a clear stance on the responsibility for the incident has drawn significant reaction.

HE PASSED THE BUCK TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WITH A BRIEF STATEMENT

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, who appeared before cameras with other ministers on the first day of the incident to make a 1-minute statement, said, "The hotel has a fire adequacy certificate issued by the fire department. This is already an authority that lies with the fire department. Regular checks and adequacy assessments must also be carried out by the fire department.

To date, there has been no negative situation reported to us by the fire department. The investigation process is ongoing. My condolences to us all. I wish patience to those who lost their loved ones," he had stated.

THE MINISTRY ISSUED THE LICENSE

It is being discussed that the license for the Grand Kartal Hotel, where 78 of our people lost their lives and which did not even have a fire escape, was issued by the ministry and that the Bolu Municipality had no authority to conduct inspections there.

While all these debates continue, it is unknown why Minister Ersoy, who is expected to enlighten the public, remains silent.

CALLS FOR RESIGNATION CONTINUE

Reactions have also risen in the political arena following the fire tragedy. Future Party Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu called on both Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan to resign, stating, "If the Bolu Mayor had focused on the intervention capacity of the fire department in a forested region like Bolu instead of cutting off the water of oppressed refugees; and if the Minister of Culture and Tourism had devoted the time he spends on the rent-seeking areas of the Aegean coasts, which also concern his own company, to the rehabilitation of tourism infrastructure, these pains might not have been experienced. If they have any self-respect, both of them should resign immediately."

TRANSPARENCY IS EXPECTED

Following this painful incident, the public expects transparency and accountability from the authorities. It is emphasized that a comprehensive investigation must be conducted regarding the cause of the fire, negligence in inspection processes, and the identification of those responsible. Furthermore, this tragic event has once again highlighted the importance of meticulously conducting safety inspections in tourism facilities and sharing inspection reports with the public in a transparent manner.