11.07.2025 13:42
In the trial of the hotel fire disaster in Kartalkaya, where 78 people lost their lives, the proceedings continued on the fifth day, and the courtroom became chaotic again during the cross-examination of Halit Ergül, the owner of the Grand Kartal Hotel. Ergül, who shifted the blame to the inspectors, interrupted the victim's lawyer by speaking loudly, which led to heightened tension. Relatives of the victims shouted "Murderer!" at Ergül from the back rows.
On January 21, during the fifth day of the trial regarding the Grand Kartal Hotel fire in Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort, which claimed the lives of 78 people, including 36 children, tensions arose again during the defense of hotel owner Halit Ergül.
"WHEN THE INSPECTION TEAM SAID 'SUITABLE', WE FELT SAFE"
Halit Ergül, who was cross-examined, stated that inspections were conducted regularly at the hotel, saying, "I have been in the tourism sector for many years. We have two hotels. I was a board member of the Tourism Development Agency. The teams from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism that came for inspection have prepared reports. Since the inspection team said 'suitable', we felt safe."
"WILL THEY OVERLOOK OUR FAULTS IF WE DON'T RECEIVE MONEY?"
Regarding the allegation that inspectors from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism stayed at the hotel for free, Halit Ergül said, "If they had identified deficiencies for the safety of life and property during the inspection, they would have closed it down. I don't know if an invoice was issued when the inspectors from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism stayed at Gazelle Hotel. Will they overlook our faults if we don't receive money?"
"THOSE WHO DO NOT CONDUCT INSPECTIONS ARE RESPONSIBLE"
In response to the victim's lawyer stating, "We couldn't find a single penny in the bank accounts after the fire," Ergül replied, "The hotel closed, there were severance payments for the staff." When the lawyer asked, "Will you file a complaint against anyone since there was a fire in your hotel?" Ergül responded, "Those who do not conduct inspections are responsible."
ERGÜL RAISED HIS VOICE, TENSION IN THE COURTROOM
After one of the victim's lawyers asked, "Was unauthorized construction done on the 11th and 12th floors of the hotel?" Ergül stated that the elevators on those floors were licensed, prompting the lawyer to request a clear answer to the question. At that moment, Ergül interrupted the lawyer and spoke loudly, creating tension in the courtroom.
THEY SHOUTED "MURDERER!"
Relatives of the victims shouted "Murderer!" at Ergül, who raised his voice from the back rows. As the tension increased, the presiding judge adjourned the hearing.