Testimony of Grand Kartal Hotel owner Halit Ergül revealed!

In the fire that broke out in the early hours of January 21 at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center, 78 citizens lost their lives.

As part of the investigation conducted into the disaster, 15 people, including hotel owner Halit Ergül, were arrested.

Deputy Mayor Sedat Gülener, who is responsible for the fire department, Acting Fire Chief Kenan Coşkun, and fire department personnel with signing authority İrfan Acar, who are being held in custody, are also expected to be referred to the Bolu Courthouse today.

The testimony of hotel owner Halit Ergül, who was arrested as part of the investigation, before the Bolu 2nd Criminal Judgeship of Peace and the prosecutor's office has been revealed. Refusing to accept responsibility for the disaster in which 78 lives were lost, Ergül blamed the head chef, kitchen staff, the hotel's electrician, and security guards in his statement.

According to the report by Hürriyet, Ergül stated that the head chef was responsible for the electrical appliances in the kitchen, and that the fire alarm buttons were checked by the hotel's electrician. He stated that security guards were patrolling inside the hotel 24 hours a day and were responsible for activating the alarms in the event of a fire.

Ergül also said that they had made annual contracts with FQC Global Danışmanlık A.Ş., which is authorized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, regarding fire safety measures at the hotel, and that regular inspections were carried out. Stating that no information was provided during these inspections that the fire escapes in the hotel did not comply with regulations, he claimed that the hotel, which was built in 2007, was constructed in accordance with the regulations in force at that time.

The hotel's electrician, Hüseyin Özer, denied the accusations, stating that he only performed the duties assigned to him and that the fire alarm and protection systems were managed by an external subcontractor. Özer stated that he did not have any technical knowledge regarding these systems and that the relevant details were known by the hotel management or the technical manager.

While Halit Ergül also declared that his monthly income was 100 thousand TL, the statement record kept by the prosecutor's office noted that the hotel had received a sustainable tourism certificate and that the validity of this certificate continued until 2025.

Regarding the fire, it was stated that the hotel conducted fire drills every two years, that all personnel participated in these drills, that there were escape plans showing how the hotel would be evacuated in the event of a fire, and that illuminated directional signs were present in the hotel in accordance with these plans.

However, it was reported that the alarm system was most likely damaged and not working during the fire, while the smoke detectors were activated.

MINISTRY INSPECTED ON DECEMBER 15

In his testimony, Ergül stated that they were inspected by the Ministry of Culture 6 days before the fire. Ergül also stated that the Special Provincial Administration had issued the license. Ergül said, "Every precaution against fire has been taken at the hotel. Necessary inspections have been carried out. The last inspection was conducted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on December 15. During this inspection, deficiencies regarding the doors of the disabled rooms were found."