New details emerge in Pendik hotel tragedy: Negligence led to disaster...

The trial regarding the hotel fire that occurred in Pendik in March 2023, which led to the death of 3 people, has concluded.

It was determined that the fire started when an electric heater left unattended at the reception ignited a sofa, while an expert report revealed that the hotel continued to operate illegally despite its deficiencies.

The court sentenced the hotel officials on trial in custody, Cihan Şah and Murat Şah, to 9 years in prison each for the crime of "causing the death of more than one person through negligence."

Receptionist Ayşe Arslanşen was sentenced to 6 years in prison on the grounds that she abandoned her post, causing the fire to grow.

REMAINED OPEN DESPITE BEING SEALED

The expert report submitted to the court stated that the hotel lacked a sprinkler system and necessary fire safety measures, and that the fire department's report was negative.

It was also revealed that the hotel, which had been sealed by municipal police due to these deficiencies, had its seal broken and continued to accept customers.

DEFENSES DREW REACTION

In his defense in court, hotel official Cihan Şah stated, "We did not intentionally kill anyone; our workplace burned down too," while his brother Murat Şah said, "If the fire had not occurred, we would likely have received our license after the final inspection."

The court did not apply any reduction in the sentences due to the defendants' social personalities and their lack of remorse throughout the hearings.

Following the verdict, the file was sent to the 18th Criminal Chamber of the Istanbul Regional Court of Justice.