07.02.2025 22:20
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, who provided the latest developments regarding the investigation into the fire disaster in Bolu Kartalkaya, which claimed the lives of 78 people, stated that new arrests and detentions have taken place in light of the newly received report. Tunç said, "The judiciary will hold accountable those who caused great pain to our nation and the families of the deceased, no matter where it leads."
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Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç shared the latest developments regarding the investigation into the fire disaster in Bolu Kartalkaya, which claimed the lives of 78 people, during a live broadcast program he attended. Reminding that 22 people have been arrested within the scope of the investigation, Tunç stated, "Arrests and detentions occurred in light of the new report."
Minister Tunç's statement on the matter is as follows:
"THERE IS AN EFFORT TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS IN LIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE"
"We pray for the souls of our citizens who lost their lives in Kartalkaya. It is truly a great pain, a great disaster. Such a thing should not happen. This pain is indescribable. It is impossible not to be moved when our President shares the grief of those families during the funerals. Following the fire, while rescue efforts were ongoing, the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation. A committee of experts was formed quickly to prevent the loss of evidence. While the process of preparing a report on the initial findings continues, the prosecutor's office needed to gather information from individuals with expertise in fire and building protection. An expert was consulted to identify the problems. The prosecutor's office conducting the investigation is making efforts to identify the problems in light of the evidence there.
"THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE IDENTIFIED 9 DEFICIENCIES"
The prosecutor's office made several findings, particularly noting that one month before the fire, the Bolu Municipality and the fire department reported 9 deficiencies related to the building to the Bolu Special Administration, which is the licensing authority. Then, the withdrawal of the petition occurred. The petition regarding this was withdrawn, and approval was given for the accompanying annex. The prosecutor's office decided to form a new committee of experts, as they believed this matter was outside their area of expertise, and there was a document mentioned by Mr. Özel that had not yet been submitted to the file and was not signed by the experts. When it was seen that there was no comment regarding the part the prosecutor's office inquired about, they decided to establish a new committee of experts who are more neutral, technical, and specialized. For a report to exist, it must be signed and recorded in the prosecutor's file and UYAP. This could be a draft. When new questions were asked of the expert regarding this draft, and local experts said, 'we cannot answer this,' then the prosecutor's office concluded that they needed a new technical team requiring expertise. A new team is being formed from ITU. An 8-member expert committee from the Disaster Management Department is assigned. The previously collected evidence is being quickly examined. The process of preparing the report continues.
"CAN YOU SAY 'THIS IS FAULTY, THAT IS NOT FAULTY' WHILE THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE CONTINUES THE INVESTIGATION?"
We say this; discussing these matters is painful, unfortunately. Politics should not be made over this. Let the truth come out, no matter where it leads. But they say, 'Let this not touch our friends,' that is the difference. They say the municipality is not responsible here. The expert report has not been prepared; can you say 'this is faulty, that is not faulty' while the prosecutor's office continues the investigation?
"THERE ARE 22 DETAINEES, NEW ARRESTS HAVE OCCURRED"
Currently, there are 22 detainees. Our Minister spoke about the investigation of the inspectors. New arrests and detentions occurred in light of the new report. The experts from ITU, who will prepare the main report, are currently working on it. This report will be obtained from the most competent institution in Turkey. The investigation continues. Based on the upcoming expert report, the prosecutor's office may certainly make new arrests and issue detention orders. Precautionary measures have been taken regarding the assets of the company officials in terms of legal proceedings.
"THE JUDICIARY WILL HOLD ACCOUNTABLE THOSE WHO CAUSED GREAT PAIN TO OUR NATION AND THE FAMILIES OF THE DECEASED"
Our citizens should be assured. Whoever it may be, whether hotel owners, company officials, or negligent public officials in the ministry or special administration, there can be no question of the judiciary protecting anyone in this matter. Whoever is at fault. The withdrawal of the petition submitted one month before the fire. 9 deficiencies. There are no fire extinguishing or warning systems. There are no exits or fire escapes. Who did not report this to the relevant authorities? Why was the petition withdrawn? What transpired in between? All of this will come to light. The judiciary will hold accountable those who caused great pain to our nation and the families of the deceased. No matter where it leads. Mr. Özel says, 'Let it not touch our municipality.' You should not say this; the judiciary will say it.
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