28.01.2025 14:40
The statement of Emir Aras, the general manager who was arrested following the fire at the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort, has emerged.
Emir Aras, the general manager of the company arrested in connection with the Grand Kartal Hotel fire in which 78 people lost their lives at the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort, stated that he was on the 7th floor of the hotel with his daughter during the fire, and that the floor manager called him to inform him that there was a fire in the restaurant. He mentioned that he went outside by descending the stairs, claiming that he could not press the alarm buttons due to the intensity of the fire and that he could not think of anything at that moment.
"I JOINED THE HOTEL IN 2012"
Statements from Aras, who is among the suspects arrested in the investigation launched by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the fire that broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel on January 21, have been obtained.
Aras stated that he graduated in information systems and joined Gazelle Hotel in 2012, where he handled reservations and also performed computer-related tasks due to his background in computers. He mentioned that he goes to Grand Hotel every winter, where he serves as the general manager, and continued as follows:
"I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR SECURITY AS THE HOTEL MANAGER"
"However, I actually look after the computers. I check the reservations. The accountants conduct the inspections in the hotel. At the beginning of the season, they come from the Provincial Health Directorate, and they conduct inspections with them. They come from the Special Administration, and they conduct inspections with them as well. They come from the Ministry of Tourism, and the accountants accompany the people from the Ministry of Tourism. The accountants guide the hotel inspectors. The hotel manager accompanies them. The hotel manager is Zeki Yılmaz. The hotel manager primarily oversees the reception, facilitates communication among the staff, and holds meetings. I was also present during the last inspection conducted by the Ministry of Tourism. The inspectors from the Ministry of Tourism inspected the hotel in every aspect. I generally do not accompany the inspections. There was an inspection by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on December 15, 2024. This inspection lasted 5-6 hours. I do not know if there was an inspection by the municipality. As the hotel manager, I am also responsible for security, and I am there because I am the son-in-law."
"I DO NOT ACCEPT THE ALLEGATIONS"
Aras expressed that he is very upset, stating, "I was at the hotel during the fire. I was on the 7th floor, and my daughter was with me. My phone rang at night, and I heard that there was a fire. I opened the door. My phone rang again. The floor manager was calling. He said there was a fire. He stated that it started in the restaurant. I went down the stairs and went outside. I could not press the alarm buttons because the fire was very intense. I could not think of anything at that moment. I do not accept the allegations."
In the fire that broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel located in Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Resort on January 21, 78 people lost their lives.
In connection with the fire, 19 people, including Halit Ergül, the owner of Grand Kartal Hotel, general manager Emir Aras, hotel manager Zeki Yılmaz, Bolu Deputy Mayor Sedat Gülener, Acting Fire Chief Kenan Coşkun, Gazelle Hotel General Manager Ahmet Demir, and firefighter personnel İrfan Acar, were arrested.