Several hundred hotels sealed in Türkiye for safety violations

Turkish authorities have sealed over 210 hotels and villas during recent inspections aimed at ensuring compliance with fire safety standards and proper licensing regulations.

The majority of the closures occurred in the western province of Bursa, home to the popular Uludağ ski resort, where 161 establishments were found to be in violation of key safety and business licensing requirements, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

Inspections revealed numerous safety breaches, including the lack of necessary business licenses and failure to meet fire safety regulations, raising concerns about the well-being of guests and staff. Authorities have emphasized the importance of compliance to safeguard public safety, particularly in high-traffic tourist areas such as Bursa.

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 79 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-storey building, exacerbated by its wooden exterior cladding. The hotel was nearly full, hosting approximately 238 guests, including many families with children on school vacations. Some individuals attempted to escape by jumping out of windows in desperation.

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

The Turkish Parliament decided to create a special commission to investigate the circumstances of the fire at the hotel.

The final report on the results of the commission's investigation is planned to be prepared within three months.

By Vafa Guliyeva