At least 29 people were killed Tuesday in a fire that broke out in a nightclub located in the basement of a 16-story residential building in Istanbul, the governor’s office said.
In addition to the deceased, one injured person was still hospitalized in serious condition, according to the report provided by the governor’s office in regularly updated press releases.
“A fire broke out in a (nightclub) located in the basement of a 16-story residential building in Gayrettepe, in the Besiktas district,” he had previously announced, specifying that the disaster which had broken out “at 12:47 p.m.” (09:47 a.m. GMT) was brought under control several hours later by the intervention of firefighters.
An investigation has been opened
The results have continued to evolve since the start of the disaster and most of the 12 seriously injured initially announced have gradually died despite being transferred to hospital. The fire broke out during work being carried out in the nightclub located in the basement of the building, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül told reporters.
Televisions showed images of high flames and black smoke escaping from the windows of high-rise apartments. “An investigation was opened following the fire in Gayrettepe, in the Besiktas district, in Istanbul”, announced Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya on X (formerly Twitter).
İstanbul Beşiktaş Gayrettepe’de meydana gelen yangınla ilgili soruşturma başlatılmıştır.
Hayatını kaybedenlere Allah’tan rahmet, yaralılara acil şifalar diliyorum.
You will be able to pay the price later.
— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) April 2, 2024
According to the private television channel NTV, five people were arrested on site. The mayor of Istanbul re-elected on Sunday, Ekrem Imamoglu, visited the site. “The fire has been brought under control. Let’s hope there are no more victims,” he said, offering his “condolences”.