05.04.2025 09:00
The expert report regarding the fire disaster at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu, which claimed the lives of 78 people, revealed another horrifying negligence. The report stated that 12 minutes after the fire started, the staff attempted to forcibly open the electric parking garage door to rescue vehicles, and the oxygen that entered in this way exacerbated the fire.
In one of Turkey's important ski resorts, Bolu Kartalkaya, a fire disaster occurred at the Grand Kartal Hotel on January 21, resulting in the deaths of 78 people, including 36 children, and 51 others injured. Due to the school holidays, families with children were caught in the fire. As the flames quickly engulfed the building, numerous negligence issues, including the fire alarm and fire escape, came to light. A horrifying negligence that foreshadowed the disaster was revealed by an expert report.
THEY SAVED CARS BUT FORGOT PEOPLE
While the report listed the unimplemented measures and chains of negligence one by one, it was also understood that the personnel's efforts to save cars in the parking lot contributed to the spread of the fire and the rise of carbon dioxide to the upper floors. According to a report by Esen Dolma from Oksijen newspaper, the report stated that the fire broke out at 03:17, and just 12 minutes later, instead of informing citizens or attempting to help, the personnel forcibly opened the electric parking gate and evacuated the cars. It was noted in the report that even their attempt to open the door to exit hastened the development of the fire, and as a result of fully opening the door to remove the vehicles, it caused air to be drawn into the fire area and ensured a continuous oxygen supply.
FAULTY RENOVATIONS
The report indicated that the personnel had not received basic fire training, as evidenced by footage. Furthermore, it was determined in the report that due to faulty renovations made in previous years on the 11th and 12th floors of the building, there was no stairwell after the 10th floor, which meant there was no air outlet for toxic smoke and gases to escape, causing all toxic gases to rapidly fill the corridor and leading to poisoning and death of individuals.
A platform named "We Have No Other Life" established by those who lost their loved ones in the disaster and volunteers will hold a memorial ceremony in front of the hotel on Sunday, April 13, at 12:00 PM. Those who lost their lives in the disaster will be commemorated at this ceremony.