Grand Kartal Hotel owner blames employees for deadly fire

The owner of the fire-ravaged Grand Kartal mountain hotel in Türkiye, Halit Ergül, has accused his staff of causing a gas explosion that led to a devastating fire in the building.

Ergül stated that criminal negligence, which resulted in injuries to over 120 people, 51 of whom survived, lies with his consultants, electricians, hotel security personnel, and the hotel’s head chef, Caliber.Az reports via a Turkish news outlet.

He emphasized that the head chef is responsible for the kitchen’s electrical appliances, while the hotel’s in-house electrician was in charge of the fire alarm system’s functionality.

A total of 15 individuals, including Ergül and the hotel’s general manager, have been arrested in connection with the fire. They face potential prison sentences of up to 15 years.

On January 21, 2025, a devastating fire engulfed the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, Bolu Province, Türkiye, resulting in the deaths of at least 78 people and injuries to 51 others. The blaze began in the hotel's fourth-floor kitchen and restaurant area and rapidly spread through the 12-story building, exacerbated by its wooden exterior cladding. The hotel was nearly full, hosting approximately 238 guests, including many families with children on school vacations. 

According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, emergency services arrived at the scene within 40-45 minutes, but the fire proved difficult to contain.

Of the 238 guests staying at the hotel that night, 79 lost their lives and 51 sustained injuries. Some individuals attempted to escape by jumping out of windows in desperation. The disaster left a profound impact across the nation.

In response to the tragedy, Türkiye declared 22 January a national day of mourning, honouring the victims of this devastating event.

By Khagan Isayev