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Turkish authorities have detained 19 individuals as part of an ongoing investigation into a devastating fire at a ski resort hotel that claimed 78 lives, according to the Anadolu state news agency on Monday.
Among those arrested are a deputy mayor of the town overseeing the Kartalkaya resort, a deputy fire chief, and the manager of another property owned by the hotel’s proprietor, the report said.
The investigation, centered on the January 21 disaster, has scrutinized the hotel’s management, the response of emergency services, and local authorities in Bolu.
Last Friday, arrests were made involving the Grand Karta hotel owner, his son-in-law, the hotel’s chief electrician, and its head chef.
Survivors and safety experts have criticized the 12-story building for its lack of basic fire safety measures, including functioning fire alarms, sprinklers, smoke detectors, and proper escape routes.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya disclosed that 238 guests were present at the Grand Karta hotel when the blaze engulfed the structure during the night, turning the ski retreat into a site of tragedy.
