Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey made important statements about the hotel fire in Uludağ at the March Evaluation Meeting. Stating that 3 people were removed from the building by the Metropolitan Municipality Uludağ Fire Department teams, but National Skier Berkin Usta and his father Yahya Usta passed away, Mayor Mustafa Bozbey reminded that deficiencies were detected at the end of January regarding the hotel and the report was shared with the relevant parties. In addition, Mayor Bozbey stated that they saw the risk last year and strengthened the fire department group in Uludağ in terms of teams and vehicles, and while inviting all businesses to comply with the fire regulations, he also reiterated his call for trainings subject to certification to be provided to relevant personnel.
“The deficiencies regarding the hotel were reported in January 2025”
Speaking at the March Evaluation Meeting at the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Main Service Building, Mayor Mustafa Bozbey made statements about the hotel fire in Uludağ that occurred in the morning. Stating that the fire at the Kervansaray Hotel in Uludağ deeply saddened everyone, Mayor Mustafa Bozbey stated that 05.31 people lost their lives as a result of the fire that started in the cafeteria at around 2:3 in the morning. Stating that those who lost their lives were National Skier Berkin Usta and his father Yahya Usta, Mayor Mustafa Bozbey stated that the mother was intubated. Mayor Bozbey, who stated that the 12 people were removed by the Metropolitan Municipality Fire Brigade Group in Uludağ, said, “However, we learned that the national athlete passed away after being removed from the building. Then we learned that his father passed away. I pray to God for his mercy. May they rest in peace. The first intervention in the fire is very important. With the intervention of our friends, the fire was brought under control in a short time. At the same time, our friends went inside and checked the rooms one by one. It was determined that there were 12 people in total in the hotel. 9 of the 12 people left the hotel by their own means. At the end of January, this structure was inspected by our friends and their findings were made. Deficiencies were revealed. Then, reports were sent to our Governorship, Ministry and Area Presidency for necessary action. According to this report, the deficiencies should have been eliminated or the hotel should have been closed. There is information that the hotel was closed. However, the reason why 2 people stayed there is a matter of investigation. The incident and the loss of XNUMX people deeply saddened us all.”
“We have strengthened our fire brigade in Uludağ by 3 times”
Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, who said that inspections were carried out in the Uludağ Hotels Region again last year and that the Metropolitan Municipality teams went to the field after the Kartalkaya fire, expressed that the results were shared with the Governorship, Ministry and Area Presidency. Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, who stated that as Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, they increased the fire department group in Uludağ by 3 times last year, said, “There was a single vehicle and 6 personnel. We saw the risk last year. We made a plan and increased the number of firefighters there to 18. We also increased the number of our vehicles to 3. Our new vehicles will arrive. We bought 7 vehicles. We are buying 8 more vehicles. The tender for that is also being held. A total of 15-16 vehicles will be added to the system with these vehicles. We are doing this by using a loan of approximately 10 million euros. We added 50 personnel to our system to further strengthen the fire department. We are currently training them as well.”
“It would be a disaster”
Reminding that hotels and accommodation areas are required to build in accordance with fire department reports and fire regulations and expressing that inspections will continue to increase, President Bozbey said, “I know that our governorship has made closure decisions regarding such structures. However, it is extremely important that these processes are inspected at certain intervals. You will lock the doors of places where deficiencies are not fixed. You will not let anyone in. Having such an incident after the season has ended has actually prevented a disaster. Imagine that there were 400 people in that hotel during the season. It would have been a disaster. Therefore, we want businesses to strictly comply with the fire regulations. In addition, everyone should be trained on issues related to fire, earthquake and disaster. They should be subject to a certificate. I wish everyone a speedy recovery. Hopefully, we will not encounter such incidents again.”
