The court in Bolu, Turkey, sentenced eleven people to life imprisonment for the devastating fire in January, which resulted in the deaths of 78 people, including approximately 30 children. Among those convicted are the owner of the Grand Kartal hotel, the director, and members of the board of directors, who were found guilty of serious violations of safety regulations.
The investigation revealed that the fire alarm was not functioning on the night of the tragedy and that the gas installations were not compliant. Additionally, the deputy mayor of Bolu and the fire chief received similar sentences. The trial was marked by intense emotions, with survivors and relatives of the victims providing harrowing testimonies about the tragedy. The fire started in the hotel restaurant and injured 137 people, causing a public outcry over the negligence of the authorities and the hotel owners.