In the Kartalkaya case, there was a backlash against the words of Halit Ergül's daughter.

In the Kartalkaya case, there was a backlash against the words of Halit Ergül's daughter.

09.07.2025 13:50

In the trial regarding the fire disaster at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, where 78 people lost their lives, the defense of Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu, the daughter of hotel owner Halit Ergül and a board member of the hotel, was heard. Hacıbekiroğlu, who stated that she was at the hotel for vacation, said, "My arrest has traumatized my children," to which the victim families reacted strongly.

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On January 21, a fire tragedy occurred at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya, resulting in the deaths of 78 people, including 36 children, and injuring 133 others. On the third day of the first hearing of the case, the defense of Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu, the daughter of hotel owner Halit Ergül and a detained defendant, was taken. Hacıbekiroğlu, who claimed that she had no authority in the hotel despite being a board member and stated that she was there for vacation, caused a reaction from the victim families.

Reactions poured in regarding the statements of Halit Ergül's daughter in the Kartalkaya case
Detained defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu, daughter of hotel owner Halit Ergül (front right)

"WHEN I HEARD THE FIRST SCREAMS, I THOUGHT IT WAS A PARTY"

According to journalist Emrullah Erdinç, Hacıbekiroğlu, who took the stand, detailed her experiences during the fire. Highlights from Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu's statement are as follows:

"When I first heard the screams, I thought it was a party. I couldn't hear properly. Then my assistant said there was a fire. After that, I called my mother. She had woken up too and said, 'Don't go outside, put a towel under the door.' Later, I called again, and this time she said, 'Open the window.' I broke the window with a wooden hammer, but it was double-glazed, and I couldn't break it. At that moment, another guest had gone outside, and he helped. I went out to the porch with my children, and then we were taken down the stairs."

"I SAW A CHILD ALONE ON THE STREET"

"My mother called me again and said, 'I'm fine, don't worry about me,' and hung up. The children in the mini club had moved to the Kartal Hotel, so I went there too. My mother was there as well. I had blood on my face, and my hands were cut, but I didn't notice. My other friends were there too. I saw a child alone on the street who said, 'I'm looking for my mom.' We took him to the Kartal Hotel with the ski instructor."

Reactions poured in regarding the statements of Halit Ergül's daughter in the Kartalkaya case

"ONLY ONE OF THE TWO FIRE TRUCKS HAD A LADDER"

"I went back into the hotel thinking I would find my mother, learned her name, showed the children, and she thanked me. I called the fire department, and they said, 'The teams are on the way.' Of the first police and two fire trucks that arrived, only one had a ladder. My mother called me, and we moved to another hotel in case the fire spread to the Kartal Hotel."

"MY ARREST CAUSED TRAUMA FOR MY CHILDREN"

"We poured salt with our hands because the fire truck couldn't move forward. A tarpaulin was opened at the back, and someone jumped. The vehicle backed out; its tires were not suitable. The ski instructor said that if the fire spread to the garage, it would grow larger, so he wanted the vehicles to be moved. I asked my sister about it. Then my husband came from Istanbul and took my children. I don't live there; I was only there for the semester break. I was 7 years old when this hotel opened. I was made a board member because there was a requirement for a 5-person board. I am married and have 2 children. I was only at the hotel for vacation. My arrest caused trauma for my children."

Hacıbekiroğlu's statement drew a strong reaction from the victim families in the courtroom.

Reactions poured in regarding the statements of Halit Ergül's daughter in the Kartalkaya case

"I HAVE NO AUTHORITY IN THE HOTEL"

Judge: Are you aware of the fire department report?

Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: No.

Judge: Was there a fire system in the hotel?

Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: There was in the rooms; I saw it.

Judge: What does Elif Aras do?

Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: She has no authority.

Judge: Emine Mürtezaoğlu?

Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: She helps us in Istanbul.

Judge: Do you have authority in the hotel?

Defendant Ceyda Hacıbekiroğlu: No, I have no authority.



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