ISTANBUL,— A Turkish court handed life sentences to 11 individuals on Friday in connection with a fire that claimed 78 lives at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Bolu mountains in January 2025, state media reported.
According to TRT Haber, those convicted included hotel owner Halit Ergul, who received an aggravated life sentence. The court also sentenced several hotel executives, staff members, and local officials, including a deputy mayor and fire service personnel.
Investigators said the fire began in the restaurant area of the 12-story hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, where 238 guests were staying at the time.
The incident occurred during school vacation, when families from Istanbul and Ankara often travel to the Bolu region. Among the dead were 34 children, and 137 people were injured.
A total of 32 defendants were charged, 20 of whom were held before trial.
The court found that safety precautions were insufficient and that serious negligence contributed to the scale of the tragedy.
Experts noted that the hotel lacked essential fire protection systems.
The case has drawn nationwide attention and calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards across Turkey’s tourism facilities.
(With files from Reuters)
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