'Responsibility' debate continues: MHP issues harsh statement regarding Bolu fire, targeting Tanju Özcan and İsmail Saymaz

Turkey woke up to painful news on the morning of Tuesday, January 21. As a result of a fire that broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center, 78 citizens lost their lives.

While 11 people have been detained as part of the investigation into the disaster, the 'responsibility' debate between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Bolu Municipality continues.

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Deputy Chairman and Kayseri MP İsmail Özdemir targeted the Bolu Municipality regarding the hotel fire disaster in which 78 citizens lost their lives.

Stating that he participated in the rescue efforts, Özdemir said, "As someone who personally witnessed the fire disaster in Bolu that broke all of our hearts, I must say that the Bolu Municipality fire department teams arrived at the scene more than an hour after the fire was reported. Most of the people trapped in the hotel tried to save themselves through their own efforts after that hour had passed."

Özdemir spoke as follows:

"During this time, some people exited through the hotel's normal stairs in the first moments of the fire, while others saved themselves using ropes they lowered from windows or bedsheets tied together. Unfortunately, some jumped from the windows. There was no fire escape anywhere in the hotel, and it was evident from everywhere that there was no system to extinguish the fire that had started. The first teams to arrive at the scene were, in order, the Gendarmerie (within the first 10 minutes), AFAD (within 35 minutes), and ambulances (within 45-50 minutes). Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya was informed of the developments via my phone at 3:43, which could be considered the moment the fire started, and he gave instructions to the Bolu Governor to move to the area."

"I AM THE ONE WHO GAVE THE FIRST INFORMATION TO OUR MINISTER YERLIKAYA"

The Gendarmerie Search and Rescue teams, who reached the area long before the fire department teams, fought heroically and evacuated many people with telescopic ladders. The fire started at the bottom left section of the hotel facing the mountain slope. This area was where the flames and smoke rose most intensely. The Bolu Municipality fire department teams, who arrived at the hotel at 4:40, only began working in the area after this time. During this time, the Bolu Mayor was unfortunately not in the field. How do I know these things? My relatives were in that hotel, and when I received the news, I went there while I was in a location very close to the area; I experienced everything, saw it with my own eyes, and participated in the rescue activities. I was in constant communication by phone with our Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya and our Bolu Governor Abdülaziz Aydın. I am the one who gave them the first information."

"BOLU MUNICIPALITY FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS VERY LATE"

Stating that he personally participated in the rescue efforts and that the fire department teams were late in intervening, Özdemir concluded his words as follows:

"We, along with my advisors, ensured the evacuation and rescue of my relatives and many small children whom we realized were in the hotel for vacation, using telescopic ladders we found in the vicinity. While doing this, we were also affected by the smoke and even sustained injuries on various parts of our bodies. I wish we could have reached them all, I wish we could have saved them all. Our pain is immense, but we will certainly overcome this as a nation.

"THE MAYOR OF BOLU SHOULD STOP SPINNING TALL TALES"

Perhaps more people could have been saved from this fire. But unfortunately, the Bolu Municipality fire department was very late. Even though the fire area is approximately 30-35 kilometers from the center of Bolu. Therefore, the Bolu Mayor should stop spinning tall tales; at the very least, out of respect for the cherished memories of those who lost their lives, he should first investigate the names and negligence within his own area of responsibility, and without forgetting that he is also accountable before the law, he should look at the account he will give and not engage in a debate over who held the authority.

HARSH REACTION TO JOURNALIST İSMAİL SAYMAZ

He should not show himself on screens as if he has no sin or fault. This job is not like leaving your duty and sticking your nose into unnecessary things on social media. Especially those so-called journalists who act more like militants than professionals, primarily İsmail Saymaz, who tries to create a perception by making immoral broadcasts through a media outlet like Halk TV, should act with their consciences, if they have any left! I'll skip your manhood; what kind of people are you? It is a pity, it is a sin, it is a shame."

WHAT DID TANJU ÖZCAN SAY?

CHP Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan had called on Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, saying, "I am not a man who would lie for the sake of a seat. If I were responsible, I would resign. I am making an open call to the Minister; let him come on a live broadcast with me on any channel he wants, along with the documents. One of us will leave that table by resigning, and that will be the Minister. I am also addressing the President; unfortunately, this Minister is being misled and is lying. Please do not continue working with this minister."

News Source: İHA