A devastating fire struck the luxury Grand Kartal hotel in Kartalkaya, Turkey, killing at least 76 people. The authorities open an investigation, while serious security failures are singled out. A drama that arouses emotion and raises many questions.
A tragedy bereaved Turkey last Tuesday. A fire of rare violence ravaged the luxury hotel Grand Kartal, located in the upscale ski resort of Kartalkaya. According to the latest official report, at least 76 people lost their lives and 51 others were injured in this tragedy which shocked the country. A look back at the circumstances of this tragic event and the questions it raises.
A devastating fire in the middle of the night
According to a source close to the matter, the fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. in this 12-story hotel complex which was almost full during this winter holiday period. Starting from the upper floors, the fire spread at lightning speed due to the exterior wooden cladding, transforming the establishment into a real death trap for the occupants.
Local media broadcast striking images showing huge flames shooting out of windows and thick black smoke escaping from the building. Drone footage reveals the extent of the damage, with the roof and upper floors charred. Perched at the top of a cliff, the hotel was particularly difficult to access for the 428 mobilized firefighters, who arrived on site at 4:15 a.m. to try to bring the disaster under control.
The nightmare of trapped customers
Awakened in the middle of the night by smoke filling the corridors, many guests found themselves trapped in their rooms. Panicked, some jumped into the void from the floors, causing at least three deaths according to the NTV channel. Others huddled at the windows, begging for ladders and blankets to escape the flames.
When the flames appeared, people suddenly panicked. A friend jumped from the 11th floor.
Omer Sakrak, a witness still in shock
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Scenes of chaos and absolute distress. Witnesses say they saw a father shouting that he was going to throw his one-year-old baby out of the window to prevent him from burning to death. A true vision of horror.
Serious security breaches involved
Beyond the shock and emotion, this deadly fire highlights serious security deficiencies in this high-end hotel. Many survivors say no alarm went off that night. Some denounce the absence of smoke detectors, automatic extinguishing systems and the glaring lack of emergency exits.
The owner of the establishment and three other people were arrested and taken into custody on Tuesday. Turkish justice opened an in-depth investigation and dispatched six prosecutors to the site, supported by a committee of experts, to shed light on the circumstances and responsibilities in this tragedy.
A context of failing regulation
This tragedy is unfortunately not an isolated case in Türkiye. In recent years, several deadly fires have devastated hotels, nightclubs and shopping centers in the country, each time raising the question of safety standards. The cause: weak regulations and insufficient controls, against a backdrop of a boom in construction and tourism.
Faced with the outcry caused by the Kartalkaya tragedy, the authorities are promising strong measures. President Erdogan, who visited the site, called for a national audit on fire safety in buildings open to the public. The government is committed to toughening legislation and drastically strengthening controls.
But will these announcements be enough to prevent such a horror from happening again? Many voices are being raised to demand an in-depth reform of practices in the sector and a real collective awareness of this vital public safety issue. So that lives never again go up in smoke in indifference.
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