New chain of negligence in Kartalkaya fire! 'We have 500 inspectors, but no one has come'

Making statements at the TBMM Research Commission regarding the Kartalkaya disaster, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security Lutfihak Alpkan made striking admissions regarding the inspection processes. Alpkan stated that the tourism sector is classified as 'low-risk' and that this is why the hotel was not inspected.

''WE DO NOT CONDUCT INSPECTIONS, WE CHECK DOCUMENTS''

Speaking at the TBMM Kartalkaya Ski Center Hotel Fire Research Commission, Alpkan stated that the inspection process is limited to document checks of businesses while answering questions about occupational health and safety.

Alpkan emphasized that they do not conduct direct technical examinations during inspections, saying, “Rather than an inspection on matters such as elevators, chairlifts, heavy machinery, and business opening licenses, we only look at whether the relevant reports are in the files. We take action by looking at whether there is documentation regarding fire or other safety issues.”

''TOURISM SECTOR IS LOW-RISK, NO INSPECTION PRIORITY''

Stating that the tourism sector is in the low-risk category, Alpkan noted that this is why the hotel in Kartalkaya was not inspected. “There is no such thing as a risk-free sector, but the tourism sector is in the low-risk category. Therefore, our priority is the inspection of high-risk sectors. The hotel in Kartalkaya was not inspected for this reason,” he said.

Alpkan stated that the fire falls under the status of occupational accident deaths, adding that the factors causing the most deaths in occupational accidents in Turkey are vehicle accidents, falls from heights, and health problems.

“Deaths due to occupational accidents in Turkey vary between 1,600 and 1,900 annually. Most of these occur due to traffic accidents, falls from heights, and health problems such as heart attacks. Events such as fires or collapses, while appearing very large in number, have a small share in the total,” he expressed.

Deputy Minister Alpkan also stated that no complaint applications had been made regarding the hotel. “It was not foreseen within the scope of planned inspections, and furthermore, no complaints regarding occupational health and safety were received from employees or customers,” he said.

Upon the question of Muğla Deputy Öneş Derici, “Was it never inspected at all?”, Alpkan replied, “Yes, no inspection ever came here.”

THERE ARE 500 INSPECTORS BUT THE TURN NEVER CAME

Stating that there are only 500 inspectors tasked with inspecting workplaces across Turkey, Alpkan said, “In line with the resources we have, we prioritize mining, construction, and large industrial facilities. Since the hotel in Kartalkaya did not fall into these categories, it was not included in the inspection program.”