Dozens face charges in fatal hotel blaze in Bolu
A trial has opened in Turkey for 32 defendants linked to a January hotel fire that killed 78 people and injured 133 others.
According to AP News, the fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu during the winter school break, with many children among the victims.
The Bolu Public Prosecutor’s Office submitted a 98-page indictment detailing the events and outlining charges.
Thirteen defendants face charges of causing death or injury with possible intent, which carries potential sentences of up to 1,998 years in prison.
The remaining 19 are charged with negligent homicide or injury, with potential sentences of up to 22.5 years.
Family members criticise hotel management
AP News reported that relatives of the deceased staged a demonstration outside the courthouse, holding images of victims and accusing hotel management of inaction during the fire.
Zeynep Kotan, whose 17-year-old daughter Omur died in the blaze, said: “This is not neglect, it is murder.”
In a statement made before proceedings, the families said: “They did not give any warning or activate an alarm system.
“They did not give any warning or activate an alarm system.
“While they were going to rescue their cars, our loved ones were suffocating from the smoke inside.”
Former lawmaker Mehmet Guner, who lost six family members, addressed the court.
He said: “The defendants brought before the court are a portion of the guilty.
“However, in this incident, the minister of tourism and the officials of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security are just as guilty.
“We will do our best to have them tried.”
Faulty systems and poor training identified in indictment
According to the indictment cited by AP News, the fire began at 3:17 a.m. when an electric grill plate in a kitchen on the fourth floor sparked and ignited a nearby rubbish bin.
The flames spread rapidly when the fire melted a liquefied petroleum gas hose.
Kitchen staff noticed the fire by 3:24 a.m., but within minutes the blaze was out of control.
The wooden ceiling, combined with airflow from a door left open, allowed the fire to spread quickly through the building.
The document states that the lack of smoke extraction systems, faulty detection and warning systems, and poorly fitted exits contributed to the fatalities.
Emergency lighting and signage were missing, and the hotel’s stairwells acted as “chimneys” for smoke.
Government officials and hotel executives among those charged
AP News reported that those facing the most severe charges include hotel owner Halit Ergul, his family members on the company board, and the hotel’s general manager.
Also named in the higher-charge category are Bolu’s deputy mayor and deputy fire chief.
Defendants facing lesser charges include hotel employees, inspection authorities, and maintenance personnel.
The hotel, built in 1999 and operated by Ergul’s company since 2007, passed its most recent inspection five weeks before the fire.
Ergul told prosecutors that the hotel had received regular fire safety checks every two years.
The most recent tourism certificate was due to expire in March.
Public outcry after defence minimises the fire
During the hearing, AP News reported that defence lawyer Recep Emre Ertas described the incident as “nothing more than a painful accident.”
His comments provoked anger from victims’ families in the courtroom.
The scale of the case has required the trial to be held in a converted sports hall in Bolu, with seating for 700 people.
There are 210 plaintiffs listed.
The hearing is expected to last for 14 days.
Hotel fire trial opens in Turkey after Kartalkaya ski resort deaths: Summary
A fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, Turkey on 21 January 2025.
Seventy-eight people died and 133 were injured.
The incident occurred during the winter school holiday.
Many of the victims were children.
Thirty-two people are now on trial for charges linked to the fire.
Thirteen face potential sentences of 1,998 years.
Nineteen others are charged with negligent homicide or injury.
The fire was caused by an electric grill igniting a bin.
Liquefied petroleum gas worsened the blaze.
The building lacked functioning alarms and smoke systems.
Evacuation routes were blocked or not fitted.
Stairwells and shafts allowed smoke to spread quickly.
Relatives accused hotel staff of failing to act.
A former lawmaker blamed government officials.
Defence counsel described the fire as an accident.
The trial is being held in a temporary courtroom in Bolu.
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