Turkish special commission continues investigating Grand Kartal Hotel deadly fire

The Turkish Parliament will form a special commission to investigate the tragedy at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, where 78 people lost their lives.  

The commission will consist of 22 MPs from parties represented in parliament, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media. 

The commission will be established through a vote next week and will operate for three months. Lawmakers will have the authority to conduct on-site investigations and inspections.  

Additionally, representatives and heads of ministries and agencies are expected to be invited to parliament to provide information related to the investigation. It is anticipated that the commission will summon Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, as his ministry oversees tourism facilities.  

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş earlier told reporters that he hopes the deputies' findings will help clarify the causes of the tragedy and make a significant contribution to the prosecution's investigation into the fire. He also expressed hope that all those responsible for the incident will be brought to justice.

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. 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.

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

By Khagan Isayev