28.01.2025 09:21
It was learned that Kadir Özdemir, the accountant of the hotel that serves as a grave for 78 people in Bolu, reported serious deficiencies in the audit report to the management after learning about them from the fire department. However, he received a response from the hotel’s general manager stating, "Addressing these deficiencies would be very costly; let's cancel the audit." It was revealed that the cancellation petition was submitted on December 24, and the audit was canceled just one day later.
In the tragedy in Bolu Kartalkaya, where 78 of our citizens lost their lives, the fire that left a mark on hearts continues. Kadir Özdemir, the accountant of Grand Kartal, explained the collaboration between the hotel and the municipality, which concealed 8 deficiencies in the fire systems. Days before the tragedy in Kartalkaya, the accountant applied to the municipality for an inspection of the hotel, but after the hotel’s general manager said, "Fixing these deficiencies is very costly; if we can, let’s cancel the inspection," he canceled the application.
CONFESSED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MUNICIPALITY AND HOTEL OFFICIALS
According to a report by Türkiye newspaper, Kadir Özdemir, who is a manager in the accounting department of Grand Kartal Hotel, which became a grave for 78 people, confessed the relationship between Bolu Municipality and hotel officials.
After Özdemir's application for a fire inspection on December 12, 2024, experts from the Bolu Municipality Fire Department conducted an inspection at the hotel. As a result of the inspection, a report was prepared stating that the hotel was not suitable in terms of fire safety and was submitted to the Bolu Municipality Fire Department.
"SEDAT GÜLENER SAID 'SUBMIT A CANCELLATION PETITION'"
Kadir Özdemir stated, "While presenting the petition I wrote to Bolu Municipality, I verbally said, 'This will be for the café,' but since this issue was not included in the petition, after a while, officials from the municipality came to the hotel and conducted a detailed inspection of the entire hotel. I learned that the inspection report was negative from a person named C. Following this, I called my manager Ahmet Demir to inform him of the situation. After that, Ahmet Demir spoke with Sedat Gülener, the nephew of Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, who is responsible for the fire department. Sedat Gülener told him, 'Submit a cancellation petition.' Following this instruction, we prepared the cancellation petition. At the same time, I also discussed these matters with Grand Kartal Hotel General Manager Emir Aras. Emir Aras also told me, 'Fixing these deficiencies is very costly; if we can cancel the inspection, let’s do it.'"
THE HOTEL INSPECTION WAS CANCELED THE NEXT DAY
According to Kadir Özdemir's statement, the cancellation petition for Grand Kartal Hotel was submitted on December 24, 2024. Just one day later, on December 25, 2024, Bolu Deputy Mayor Sedat Gülener canceled the fire department's inspection of the hotel.
THE NUMBER OF DETAINEES INCREASED TO 19
On the other hand, Bolu Deputy Mayor Sedat Gülener, Acting Fire Chief Kenan Coşkun, and firefighter Irfan Acar were also arrested. The number of detainees has risen to 19.