Scandalous details in the Grand Kartal Hotel fire tragedy... Here is the chain of negligence in the disaster that became a grave for 78 people

As the investigation deepens into the fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, one of Bolu's popular winter tourism centers, which resulted in the loss of 78 lives, the chains of negligence are being revealed one by one.

In the indictment prepared by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, prison sentences of up to 1,998 years each were requested for 13 people on charges of "homicide with possible intent," and up to 22 years and 6 months each for 19 people on charges of "causing the death of more than one person through negligence."

THERE WAS NO EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT SYSTEM

One of the most striking details in the technical findings included in the indictment was that the hotel lacked an emergency announcement system. It was stated that no automatic or live announcement system, which should have been activated in the event of a fire or similar emergency, had ever been installed.

This deficiency prevented guests from being informed of the incident in time during the fire.

NO FIRE TRAINING, NO DRILLS

The prosecutor's indictment noted that no training on fire and emergencies was provided to the hotel staff, no drills were conducted, and not even an occupational safety specialist had been assigned after 2022.

Furthermore, it was emphasized that the hotel's elevators were not brought into compliance with regulations and that these deficiencies were also a factor in the increase in the number of casualties.

LPG INSTALLATION WAS INSTALLED WITHOUT A PROJECT OR APPROVAL

It was stated that one of the factors contributing to the growth of the fire was the LPG installation. However, it was revealed that this installation was not based on any engineering project or official approval and was installed improperly. It was stated that this gross negligence played a key role in the disaster reaching such proportions.

ALARM DID NOT SOUND, NO DRILLS WERE EVER CONDUCTED

Fidan Kurç, one of the hotel staff, stated that during her time working there, she had never received any fire training, no drills were conducted, she did not hear the fire alarm, and she did not see the fire escape.

Mehmet Gündüz, who worked in the bakery, stated that he looked for a fire extinguisher during the fire but could not find one, did not see the fire alarm buttons, did not hear an alarm sound, and had not witnessed any fire drills in four seasons.

Other hotel employees Samet Taşdöven, Hakan Murat Yuca, Ahmet Yavuz, Celal Kozan, Nevzat Aydın, Ergin Aydoğan, Tanju Aydın, Hüseyin Biçer, Eren Yıldırım, Burak Sınmaz, Tahsin Öztürk, Mehmet Ayhan, and Mehmet Kuran also stated in their testimonies that they had not received fire training and that no drills had been conducted.

STATEMENTS CONTRADICTED: TWO MANAGERS DENIED EACH OTHER

One of the most notable points in the indictment was the contradictory statements of the hotel managers. Hotel Manager Zeki Yılmaz stated that no fire drills were conducted at the Grand Kartal Hotel, that drills were carried out at the Gazelle Hotel, another facility owned by Halit Ergül, and that the shared staff there were considered to have participated in the drills.

On the other hand, the hotel owner, Halit Ergül, defended himself with the following words:

"There are fire escapes in the hotel. We previously checked whether the fire alarm buttons were working with an electrician. The hotel's electrician is responsible for these buttons. Drills are held at the hotel every two years, and all staff participate in these drills. These drills are carried out before the season."

The prepared indictment has been submitted to the Bolu High Criminal Court. The defendants will appear before the judge in the coming days.