09.07.2025 11:32
In the trial regarding the fire disaster at Bolu Grand Kartal Hotel, where 78 people lost their lives, 32 defendants, 19 of whom are in custody, continue to be tried on the third day. The hotel's manager, Zeki Yılmaz, caused an uproar in the courtroom with his contradictory statements, and his response to the presiding judge, "I am the manager, but I have no authority," left everyone in disbelief.
The pain from the Grand Kartal Hotel fire, which deeply shook Turkey, still lingers months after the incident. In the fire that occurred on January 21 at Kartalkaya, one of Bolu's popular ski resorts, 78 people lost their lives, and 133 others were injured.
In the case opened after the tragedy, a total of 32 defendants, 19 of whom are in custody, appeared before the judge for the first time yesterday. Due to the inadequacy of the Bolu Courthouse, the Bolu Social Sciences High School Sports Hall was prepared days in advance for the hearing, which saw a large turnout.
DRIVING THE PEOPLE IN THE HALL CRAZY
Participants were admitted to the sports hall, which was surrounded by barriers on all sides, with extensive security measures on the third day of the trial. After the defendants were brought into the hall, the third day of the hearing began. Zeki Yılmaz, the manager of the Grand Kartal Hotel, who was arrested in connection with the fire that claimed 78 lives, drove the people in the hall crazy with his contradictory statements during the hearing.
"I AM THE MANAGER, BUT I HAVE NO AUTHORITY"
Yılmaz, who answered many of the judge's questions with "I don't know," rejected his police statement while exclaiming, "I am the manager, but I have no authority," causing frustration.
According to journalist Emrullah Erdinc, Yılmaz's dialogue with the judge went as follows;
Judge: Was the fire alarm working? Did you hear it during the fire?
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: No.
Judge: Who was responsible for the inspection matters?
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: I have no responsibility.
Judge: Was there an electrician working at the Grand Kartal Hotel?
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: There was no one working continuously.
Judge: Emir Aras indicates you as the manager of the hotel.
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: It appears that way on record.
Judge: Your signature is on the workplace responsibility document from the Provincial Special Administration in the tourist facility inspection form.
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: I only greet the guests. I signed when no one from management was present.
Judge: Was a fire response team established at the Grand Kartal Hotel?
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: I don't know.
Judge: Is there a fire extinguisher in the hotel?
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: Yes, there is.
Judge: Was there a workplace safety expert?
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: No, there wasn't.
Judge: According to Furkan's statement, you said, "Don't wake anyone, let's extinguish the fire inside." Is that correct?
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: I didn't talk to anyone.
Judge: Was fire training provided to the reception?
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: No, it wasn't.
Judge: Was there an emergency button at the reception?
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: No, sir.
Judge: Why did the fire alarm system not work?
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: At the beginning of the season, it went off by itself at the reception. Hüseyin Özer checked the rooms and said there was no problem.
Judge: Your signature is on the emergency coordination and first aid team documents.
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: That signature on those documents is not mine.
Judge: Who prepared the documents?
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: I don't know.
Judge: In your police statement, you said that continuous training was provided to the staff.
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: I do not accept my police statement.
Prosecutor: Who is carrying out these events that you say happened without your knowledge? You are saying different things to the police and here.
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: I didn't say that part.
Judge: In the police report, you said, "We conducted a fire alarm test. The sound from the panel was heard sharply from the rooms."
Defendant Zeki Yılmaz: I just said. The alarm went off by itself, and it was said that there was no problem.