22.01.2025 23:21
Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan made statements during a live broadcast regarding the fire that broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort, which resulted in the deaths of 79 people. Özcan also stated, "If I am the target, and the goal is to blame the Bolu Municipality, then arrest me."
In the Grand Kartal Hotel located in Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort, 79 people lost their lives in a fire that broke out last night. While the investigation into the fire disaster continues, 11 people, including Bolu Deputy Mayor Sedat Gülener, have been detained.
STATEMENT FROM TANJU ÖZCAN ON LIVE BROADCAST
Following claims that the municipality was responsible for the hotel's inspection and that no issues were found during the municipality's inspection of the hotel's restaurant, Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan made statements on a live broadcast on Halk TV.
Özcan expressed, "I am very sad, very angry, and very ashamed. I am very tired because I haven't slept for even two hours in the last two days. I am sad because we lost nearly 80 lives, and I saw these people. I am angry because false accusations are being made against me through the biased press," and added, "Ministers of this country and their paid writers are making all kinds of accusations. I am very ashamed to be part of such polemics while people are experiencing these pains. The claim that we issued a fire safety certificate to the hotel is completely false."
"BOLU IS NOT A METROPOLIS"
Özcan stated, "Bolu is not a metropolis; I have explained this many times. It is not like Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, or Antalya. Bolu is a provincial municipality. There are 9 municipalities here, and we are the municipality of the central district. That area is outside our jurisdiction; it is not our duty to inspect. All powers, including planning and fire safety, belong to the Ministry of Tourism. We do not even have the chance to come to the hotel, knock on the door, and check the kitchen for hygiene. We do not even have the authority to impose penalties or write reports," he said.
"COME AND DETAIN ME"
Özcan also stated, "If the municipality is being held responsible here, why are the director and deputy mayor being taken? Come and take me directly then. I learned about the documents my friends gave me only after the fire. But if I am the target, and if the aim is to blame the Bolu Municipality, then detain me. What do you want from the fire chief who put his life at risk that night? Come and take me then; I am here. I am not afraid of these things; the king is naked. There is no transparency in this country."
CALL TO MINISTER ERSOY FOR A LIVE BROADCAST
Özcan also made a call to the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, during the live broadcast. Özcan said, "Let’s participate in a live broadcast on any channel he wants, even a biased television. Whoever is responsible should resign. The Minister will leave that table by resigning."