First hearing of Kartalkaya disaster on July 7: Families await justice

The first hearing of the fire disaster in the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya, where 78 people lost their lives, will be held on July 7. The families who lost their loved ones called for justice in the case with 32 defendants and accused the authorities of establishing a bribery chain.

The first hearing of the fire disaster in the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya on January 21, in which 78 people lost their lives, will be held on July 7. 32 defendants will be tried in the case to be heard by the Bolu 1st High Criminal Court.

At a press conference held at the Istanbul Bar Association, relatives of the missing called for justice. The meeting was attended by Istanbul Bar Association President Prof. Dr. İbrahim Kaboğlu, case lawyers and victim families.

Menşure Kaplan Akişli lost her husband Şenol, her mother Gülçin, her daughter Mina, and Cevat Akişli, who died of a heart attack following the events.

Akişli, who stated that the couple, who worked in the same company, went to Germany as workers, said , “I lost not only my wife, but also my colleague, my manager, my life partner. We went to Germany from our country as workers with a glimmer of hope, unfortunately. My wife was a manager here.”

Akişli explained his reasons for going to Germany as follows: “We had to go to Germany as workers. We went there simply because we were afraid of Türkiye’s lack of social and economic education system and the inadequacy of the laws. We did not run away. We went there legally. Because the company we work for is a company that operates in 65 countries around the world.”

Stating that the couple was looking for a different life, Akişli said, “We went there thinking that maybe we could experience something different in life. We came across a massacre during a holiday in our country.”

Akişli continued his criticism by making comparisons with living standards in Germany, saying, “I do not live in a very luxurious place in Germany, but there is a fire system in my house. It is mandatory in houses. These are not commercial buildings, they are structures where individual people live.”

“There is no fire system in a huge facility in a huge country. In my country, no inspections have been carried out in a place where millions of people go. More accurately, inspections have been silenced in exchange for money,” said Akişli, emphasizing that there is a systemic problem.

Akişli harshly criticized the authorities: “I see a complete bribery chain here. I see nothing else. The Minister of Tourism is not afraid of his own position, but of the money he will save. That is why he does not give permission for inspections. This is even more devastating for me.”

Stating that he does not trust his country, Akişli said , “I do not trust the country where I live and grew up. When I came here, my feet went backwards. I told my lawyer. I came here, but someone will stab me on the road, no one will be able to prove it.”

Akişli also reacted to the perception created in the public: “They are trying to create a different impression in social media and in the public. As if we were guilty by going there. We did not check whether there was a fire system there or not, and a perception is being created that we are guilty.”

“My child was left without a father. The only thing I want is for other Denizs to not be left without a father. Because nothing in the outcome of this case will bring me back my husband,” said Akişli, explaining the reason for her search for justice.

Akişli said, “It is not the first accident, the first disaster, the first massacre in Türkiye, but I hope it will be the last.” Stating that he wants to believe in his country, Akişli said, “I want to believe and trust my country. I do not believe, I just want it. I hope this case will also be a turning point.”

Ayşe Ekici also described her tragic loss: “I lost my son-in-law Süleyman, my daughter Seden Nurgül, my grandchildren Ela and Uncle Buse. One was 15, the other 12. They were the first to burn. My children turned into coal.”

Ekici described the condition of the bodies of her relatives as follows: “My children were given to us in a bag, burnt and with the coffin nailed shut. I only realized this two months later. Because we were in shock.”

Ekici claimed that the authorities did not investigate: “Now, they do not investigate anyone, not even the Minister of Tourism or the Minister of Justice. We want them to receive the punishment they deserve,” he said.

The victimized families are waiting for justice in the hearing that will start on July 7. The hotel owner and municipal officials will also be tried in the case with 32 defendants. 78 people lost their lives and 133 people were injured in the fire disaster.