Innocent Until Proven Guilty: The Story of Halit Ergül, Owner of Grand Kartal
A tragic incident occurred on January 21st at the Grand Kartal Hotel, resulting in the loss of 78 lives due to a fire. The owner of Grand Kartal, Halit Ergül, stated during his testimony at the prosecutor’s office that the electrical items in the kitchen were the responsibility of the chef. He mentioned that any abnormality should have been reported to the technician, and all frying in the kitchen was done on a grill.
Ergül also addressed questions regarding the training of the kitchen staff, stating that the responsibility of the materials in the kitchen belonged to the 4 individuals working there. He specifically pointed fingers at an electrician who worked at the hotel, holding him accountable for the tragic incident.
CNN Türk correspondent Merve Tokaz reported on Ergül’s statements, highlighting his acknowledgment of collective negligence that led to the devastating outcome. Ergül emphasized that everyone involved, from the chef to the electrician, shared the blame for the tragedy.
Furthermore, Ergül raised concerns about the absence of a sprinkler system in the hotel despite claims of having taken all necessary precautions against fires. He disputed allegations that fire alarms were not functioning, stating that smoke detectors had been activated during the incident.
As investigations continue into the causes of the fire at Grand Kartal Hotel, questions remain about the lack of proper safety measures and accountability among the staff. The tragic loss of life serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding strict safety protocols in all establishments to prevent such disasters from reoccurring.
