Fatal Fire at Besiktas Nightclub: 29 Dead, 1 Defendant on Trial
The 33rd High Criminal Court in Istanbul held a hearing at the Silivri Marmara Closed Prison Institution, where 5 detainees, some complainants, and lawyers were present. The hearing was attended by complainants, lawyers, and viewers through the Sound and Video Information System (SEGBİS) from different courthouses in various cities.
The expert report prepared to determine the defect status of the suspects was submitted to the file. In the 53-page report by a delegation of 4 experts, it was revealed that there were discrepancies in the construction of the Besiktas Municipality Directorate of Reconstruction and Urbanization. The report highlighted issues such as lack of changes according to the approved project, the building’s carrier system matching the project, and negligence in inspecting the site and following the approved project.
The report also mentioned the inadequate safety measures in the establishment, which resulted in the loss of lives during the fire incident. It pointed out that the area where the incident took place had a larger square meter area compared to other similar clubs in Istanbul, and the lack of proper insulation and soundproofing systems contributed to the spread of the fire.
Furthermore, the report highlighted the lack of permissions and documents obtained for renovation before the fire, indicating negligence on the part of the authorities. Despite requests for inspections and licenses, the necessary measures were not taken, leading to the tragic incident.
The court issued an interim decision to evacuate one of the defendants and granted two weeks for the parties to prepare their defense based on the expert report. The hearing was adjourned for further proceedings.
The indictment, prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, implicated 29 victims, 27 complainants, and 9 defendants in connection with the fire incident. The defendants are facing charges of negligence and causing the death of multiple individuals.
As the case unfolds, it is clear that there were significant lapses in safety regulations and oversight that contributed to the devastating outcome. The court will continue to assess the evidence and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
