A Turkish court has sentenced hotel owner Halit Ergul and ten others to life in prison for severe negligence linked to a fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel that resulted in the deaths of 78 individuals. The devastating blaze occurred on January 21, 2023, during the winter school break at the Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu, injuring an additional 133 people, including 34 children.
The court found Ergul, alongside his wife, two daughters, hotel managers, a deputy mayor, and a deputy fire chief guilty of negligence with “probable intent to kill.” Each defendant received a life sentence for the children’s deaths and an additional 25 years for the other fatalities. All defendants have denied responsibility and are expected to appeal the verdict.
Following the sentencing, applause erupted in the courtroom as families welcomed the ruling, according to the Haberturk news channel. The tragic incident forced terrified guests and staff to escape by leaping from windows or using bedsheets to flee the smoke-filled rooms.
Details of the Incident
The fire ignited at 03:17 a.m. when a spark from an electric grill set a garbage bin ablaze, rupturing a liquefied petroleum gas hose. Staff became aware of the flames seven minutes later, but the fire spread rapidly, fueled by air from an open door. Within two minutes, it had engulfed the wooden ceiling and filled the upper floors with toxic smoke due to inadequate safety measures.
The indictment highlighted a series of failures, including the absence of smoke extraction systems, faulty alarms, insufficient staff training, and missing sprinkler systems. The hotel’s stairwells and elevator shafts acted like chimneys, while the lack of emergency lighting, signage, and alternative exits hindered the evacuation of the 238 guests present at the time.
Aftermath and Response
The tragedy prompted widespread public outrage and calls for accountability regarding safety violations in Turkey’s hospitality sector. Families and friends of the victims held demonstrations outside the courthouse during each hearing, demanding justice and honoring their loved ones.
The Grand Kartal Hotel, which first opened in 1999, has been managed by Ergul’s company since 2007. The court’s decision marks a significant moment in addressing serious safety issues within the industry, as the country grapples with the implications of such negligence.
