Devastating Hotel Fire in Turkey Leaves 76 Dead, Sparks Outcry Over Safety Failures
The Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya lacked functional alarms and smoke detectors, leading to a deadly blaze as authorities and hotel management face scrutiny.
- A fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, Turkey, claimed the lives of 76 people and injured 51, with 20 still hospitalized, including one in critical condition.
- The blaze, which broke out early Tuesday morning, spread rapidly, trapping guests in the 12-story luxury hotel that lacked functional alarms, smoke detectors, and adequate fire safety measures.
- Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as some guests jumped from windows to escape the flames, while others improvised escape routes using bed sheets and ropes.
- Authorities, including the Turkish president and ministers, have launched investigations, with nine individuals, including the hotel’s owner, detained as questions arise over regulatory negligence and responsibility.
- The tragedy has reignited debates over lax safety standards, with critics drawing parallels to past disasters and alleging systemic failures in enforcing fire safety regulations.