03.01.2026 12:40
The draft report of the Parliamentary Investigation Commission established after the hotel fire disaster in Bolu Kartalkaya, which claimed the lives of 78 people, has been completed. The report emphasizes the need to establish a 'periodic fire department,' while no steps have been taken to build a fire station in the tourism center where the snow depth has exceeded 2 meters and the occupancy rate has reached 70%.
The Parliamentary Research Commission, established following the fire disaster that claimed the lives of 78 people at the Grand Kartal Hotel, has concluded its work.
The draft report prepared by the commission includes striking recommendations on fire safety in 5 main areas and 18 headings. With the completion of the report, attention has once again turned to Kartalkaya, a popular center for winter tourism. However, no steps have yet been taken regarding the implementation of the measures outlined in the report.
MILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT MADE BUT NO FIRE STATION According to information obtained, the occupancy rate of hotels in the region rose to 70% with the New Year's holiday. It was learned that two major hotels that opened the season made a total investment of 5 million dollars in fire safety systems to prevent a similar disaster. Despite these individual measures taken by the private sector, the lack of even a temporary fire station in the region stands out as the biggest deficiency. The fact that the nearest fire team would take time to reach the scene by climbing the mountain road in the event of a fire increases the importance of the "emergency intervention" emphasis in the report.
"SEASONAL FIRE AND EMERGENCY HEALTH UNITS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED" The draft report prepared by the Parliamentary Research Commission lists the measures that need to be taken to prevent potential disasters in the future. The commission's report states, "Seasonal fire and emergency health units should be established in tourism areas, hotels, or areas with high population density. In buildings such as schools, hospitals, and hotels, the fire alarm system should be connected to the fire department. Buildings should be regularly inspected for fire safety, and fire inspections should be made effective during the project phase. Clear regulations regarding LPG and LNG tanks and installations should be made in accommodation facilities, and periodic inspections should be mandatory. Regulations should be amended, and facilities and businesses used by schools, hospitals, public institutions, and the food and tourism sectors, including hotels, should be inspected by the local fire department. Firefighters should be required to graduate from a fire-fighting program. An umbrella organization for fire services should be established. In businesses providing hospitality services, measures should be taken to completely prevent the use of tobacco products outside areas designated by hotel management, ending the distinction between smoking and non-smoking rooms. Only businesses that do not increase the fire load and risk of the building should be allowed to open on the ground floors of residential buildings." These headings stood out.
SNOW DEPTH EXCEEDS 2 METERS, TRANSPORTATION BECOMES DIFFICULT On the other hand, there had been discussions about establishing a fire station in Sarıalan Plateau, located 3 kilometers from Kartalkaya. However, no steps have been taken regarding this issue either. Due to the heavy snowfall that has been effective in Bolu throughout the week, the snow depth in the region has exceeded 2 meters in some places. The Kartalkaya road, which has become difficult to access due to the snowfall, was captured by drone from the air. Vehicles without winter tires or chains are temporarily not allowed to pass on the Kartalkaya road. It was learned that the Bolu Municipality applied for the fire department but received no response.