18.07.2025 16:55
While the trial regarding the hotel fire disaster in Kartalkaya, which claimed the lives of 78 people, is ongoing, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has granted permission for an investigation into three bureaucrats.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism decided to grant permission for an investigation regarding Levent Kırcan, who was the Deputy Chairman of the Controllers Board at the time, and the inspectors Barış Başayvaz and Abdülkadir Eren, who conducted the last inspection of the Grand Kartal Hotel, where 78 people lost their lives in a fire in Bolu.
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION FINDING "MINISTRY NOT RESPONSIBLE"
In the decision text, it was stated that two preliminary investigations were conducted within the Ministry regarding the fire incident, and in both preliminary investigations, it was determined that the fire safety inspection was not within the duties, authority, and responsibilities of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and that there was no fault or negligence on the part of the Ministry personnel.
"THE REASON FOR THE DECISION IS TO ENSURE THE HEALTHY CONDUCT OF THE JUDICIAL PROCESS"
According to information obtained from Ministry sources, it was emphasized that the reason for the decision was to ensure the healthy conduct of judicial processes, and it was learned that the Ministry granted investigation permission to 3 bureaucrats to ensure that the matter is also examined by the judiciary.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In the fire that broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort on January 21, 78 people, including 36 children, lost their lives, and 133 people were injured. In the 10th hearing of the case, where 32 defendants, 20 of whom are detained, are being tried regarding the fire disaster, an interim decision was announced. The court panel decided to continue the detention of 18 defendants, to arrest firefighter İrfan Acar, who was previously under house arrest, and to release chef assistant Faysal Yaver under judicial control. An 4-month house arrest decision was also issued for İbrahim Polat, İsmail Karagöz, Yiğithan Burak Çetin, and Ali Ağaoğlu, who are being tried without detention. The panel rejected the request of some lawyers to hear the owner of Etstur, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, as a witness, on the grounds that it would not add any novelty to the essence of the case.