The tragedy with 78 dead in Turkey sparks fierce debate over the fire at the ski resort

The fire disaster in Bolu has raised many questions: Were the precautionary safety measures sufficient? Were the necessary inspections carried out? Why did the fire brigade respond so late?

The fire tragedy at the Turkish ski resort of Kartalkaya, in the city of Bolu, on Tuesday, deeply shocked Turkey. Since Tuesday, many schools, sports clubs, private individuals, and professional associations have shared photos of the victims on social media, expressing condolences and, in some cases, raising serious accusations. At least 78 people lost their lives in the devastating fire at a well-known hotel hosting 234 visitors. Many others were injured.

Dramatic Scenes of Panic

Survivors from the hotel, typically well-frequented, described dramatic scenes of panic on the night of the fire: many could not find their way out through smoke-filled corridors, while others desperately jumped out of windows. Some reported that people on the upper floors even made improvised ropes from bedsheets on the 11th floor to escape to safety.

Open Questions and Investigations

The cause of the fire remains unknown. Current investigations are focusing on deficiencies in the hotel’s fire protection measures and whether these played a role in the catastrophe. Authorities are verifying whether safety protocols were followed. Eyewitnesses reported the absence of fire alarm systems, dedicated fire escape stairways, and fire extinguishers.

The hotel, a multi-story building with a wooden façade on a steep hill, is a popular destination for local tourists. Experts are questioning why there was no fire station in the surrounding area and why it took first responders 45 minutes to arrive at the fire site.

Serious Accusations from the Opposition

It is also unclear which authority was responsible for the most recent fire safety inspection of the hotel and who last issued its operating license. The Mayor of Bolu, Tanju Özcan, from the opposition CHP party, denies city responsibility and points to the Ministry of Tourism. Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy blames the local fire department.

The opposition CHP party accuses the government of relaxing fire safety regulations in 2012. It also criticizes the lack of a sprinkler system in the hotel, which could have slowed the fire’s spread. According to current fire safety regulations from 2007, a sprinkler system is mandatory in hotels of this size.

Ali Mahir Başarır, deputy parliamentary group chairman of the CHP, highlights another issue: a conflict of interest involving the Minister of Tourism, who is also the owner of the major tour operator ETS. This operator had rated the hotel in question very positively. Başarır is demanding the minister’s resignation. This context has sparked another debate in Turkey, regarding the fact that some Turkish ministers continue to pursue business interests while holding political positions.

Shared Responsibility

Many professional organizations and experts commenting on the fire disaster in Bolu agree on one point: there were clearly serious deficiencies in the hotel’s fire protection or its monitoring. According to their assessment, with proper measures, such tragedies could be avoided. The high number of casualties is linked to a massive failure by the authorities.

Erol Percin from the Turkish Chamber of Engineers and Architects in Bolu emphasized in an interview with DW: “If all parties involved had taken their responsibilities seriously and adhered to regulations, today we wouldn’t be talking about 78 deaths, but only economic losses.” (Editor’s note: At the time of the interview, the death toll was 76.)

A Pattern of Disasters

Sadly, the fire disaster in Bolu is not an isolated case. Turkey has repeatedly been hit by severe disasters in the past, often due to poor safety standards. On Tuesday, shortly after the fire in Bolu, an explosion occurred at another ski resort in the central Anatolian city of Sivas, injuring four people, one critically. Last spring, a fire at the Masquerade nightclub in Istanbul claimed the lives of 29 people. According to experts, significant construction defects played a crucial role in the devastating February 2023 earthquake.

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