Survivors of Bolu hotel fire recount harrowing moments: Parents forced to throw children down to safety
The tragic incident at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu, where 79 people lost their lives in a fire, left a deep impact on the survivors, including hotel employee Mehmet Can Gezici. Gezici shared his harrowing experience, recounting the terrifying moments during the fire.
Gezici described how the flames quickly engulfed the hotel, making it difficult for anyone to escape. He mentioned that they were unable to respond to the desperate cries for help from guests trapped inside the burning building. Gezici vividly recalled the heartbreaking scenes of parents having to throw their children out of windows in order to save them.
“We were sleeping when the fire first broke out. We woke up around 03:00. When we went outside, it was a very bad sight. When we came here, it was like an apocalypse. The hotel was already burned in the middle and was progressing very badly towards the top. We tried to help and took pillows and quilts for those who jumped out of the window. I had to watch a female nurse jump from the 12th floor and she lost her life. It was very bad. People had to throw their children down so they could survive. There were not many survivors. When I look at the hotel, those moments come to my mind again. We didn’t even understand what we were feeling. We could not respond to cries for help. I can’t even express my thoughts right now…” Gezici emotionally expressed.
The aftermath of the fire has led to further investigations, with reports indicating that the hotel in Kartalkaya will be heavily damaged and demolished. The Bolu Fire Department also conducted an inspection of the restaurant in the hotel that burned down 19 days ago, revealing more details about the tragic incident.
The memories of the fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel will forever remain etched in the minds of those who survived the ordeal, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety measures in all establishments.
