At the Morgue Door: Families’ Heartbreaking Final Goodbyes to Disaster Victims
Grief and Demand for Justice: Families Affected by Kartalkaya Fire Speak Out
In a heart-wrenching gathering at a hotel in Kartalkaya, members of the Parliamentary Fire Research Commission met with families impacted by a devastating fire that claimed multiple lives. The commission, led by AK Party Erzurum Deputy Selami Altınok, aimed to listen to the victims’ stories, resulting in an emotional session that left many members, including Altınok, in tears.
The meeting was attended by 57 people from 28 families, all of whom shared their harrowing experiences of that tragic day. Among them, Hilmi Altın, who lost both his daughter and wife in the fire, voiced a passionate plea for accountability. “We came to tell you how we have been exposed to hell,” he remarked. “We are not merely ‘victims’; we are human beings who deserve justice. How can lives be lost in a fire during the Family Year of the Republic of Turkey? Why was there no alarm or evacuation plan? Who licensed this hotel? Our state owes us justice.”
Zeynep Kotan, another grieving parent, spoke of her son, Ömür, who was a volunteer ski trainer. “Our lives suddenly turned into horror,” she recounted. “We were one of many families affected, and we seek your support in our quest for justice. Please stand by us at every hearing.”
Eray Bağcı, who lost his son, Eren, described him as a vibrant and intelligent child. Bağcı called for transparency in the investigation, emphasizing that “the truth must not be hidden.” He voiced a strong demand for preventive action to ensure that no other family experiences the same tragedy. “Make the site of this hotel a memorial, and rename the surrounding forest to honor the lives lost,” he urged.
As the commission listens to these poignant testimonies, the families remain united in their quest for justice, demanding accountability and systemic changes to prevent such calamities in the future. The heartache and resolve of these families shine a light on the urgent need for action in the wake of this tragedy.
