In the aftermath of a devastating hotel fire in Kartalkaya, Turkey, 25-year-old waitress, Sevval Sahin has succumbed to her injuries, raising the death toll from Tuesday's blaze at the 12-story Grand Kartal hotel to 78. The tragedy, which occurred during a peak tourist period, has sparked national concern over inadequate safety measures, prompting the government to appoint six prosecutors to investigate. Eleven individuals, including the hotel's owner and local officials, have been detained for questioning, although no formal charges have been filed yet.
Accounts from survivors reveal alarming safety lapses, such as non-functional fire alarms, absent sprinklers, and improperly designed escapes that possibly exacerbated the spread of the fire. The cultural and political blame game continues, as national and local authorities dispute responsibility over safety certifications and fire response. Statements from Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy confirm the hotel passed fire safety inspections in earlier years, whereas Bolu Mayor Tanju Ozcan insists that certifications are outdated, with the last issued in 2007.
Sahin, who had only been employed at the hotel for a month, tragically called her father for guidance before jumping from a 12th-floor window due to overwhelming smoke and flames. Local media recount her father advising against the jump, but Sahin was apparently unable to endure the smoke and flames any longer. This incident has reignited calls for rigorous safety reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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