Fire destroys nightclub and apartment in Istanbul, killing at least 29 people: 'I lost four friends'
A fire that broke out in the basement of a 16-storey building in central Istanbul on Tuesday left at least 29 people dead, with flames and thick smoke lingering for hours despite a massive emergency response. According to the city governor's office, rescue efforts were over by evening and eight people were arrested after the fire started in the basement where a contractor was renovating the nightclub.
According to the Davut Gul regional governor's office, the fire broke out at 12:47 local time in the Geireteppe area of the city's Besiktas district and was extinguished by late afternoon.
An AFP reporter saw three exhausted firefighters, their faces and equipment blackened by smoke, sitting on the ground recovering from the action.
In addition to the 29 people who died, one injured person was still being treated in hospital, Gall's office said.
Image by Sercan Ozkurnazli/dia (via Getty Images)
It was not immediately clear whether the victim died from smoke inhalation or the flames.
Interior Minister Ali Erikaya: “Investigation into fire in Istanbul has begun'' posted on social media.
Television footage from the scene showed large flames roaring through windows on lower floors, spewing columns of thick black smoke and engulfing the building's facade. According to Reuters, authorities cut off electricity, water and gas in the area as a precaution.
The governor's office said all men working at the scene were killed, but did not say whether they were all the victims.
Governor Dabut Gul told reporters at the scene that the cause of the fire was under investigation and that the victims were believed to have been involved in renovation work.
According to the private TV station Nippon Television, some of the victims died after being taken to hospitals by ambulance.
The nightclub is closed during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, and the owners are trying to complete renovations in time for next week's Eid holiday, which follows the fasting month, NTV reported.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged the tragedy after a telephone conversation with the interior minister. BBC reported.
“I lost four friends.”
The toll increased throughout the afternoon, with most of the 12 initially reported to have sustained serious injuries and later died from their injuries despite hospital treatment.
“I lost four friends,” local man Fikret Kaya told AFP as firefighters left the scene, but declined to say more.
Near him, a woman wearing a black hat was crying with her head in her hands.
The venue was a popular Gairettepe nightspot called 'Club Masquerade', which had several stages and regularly hosted live concerts.
Governor Gul said the license was first issued in 1987 and renewed in 2018, adding that the club had been “maintained and renovated”.
However, local media reported that the owners had not obtained construction permits for the 1,500-seater club, which had no emergency exits and underground pillars had been removed, making it vulnerable to earthquakes.
Those arrested included the club's owner and manager, as well as the president of the metal fabrication company that carried out the renovation work.
Istanbul's re-elected mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who rushed to the scene, said, “The fire is under control. I hope there are no more casualties,'' and expressed his condolences to the families of the dead and injured.
“May God have mercy on the people who lost their lives. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said. posted on social mediawith image The video showed him talking with staff at the scene.
Summarize this content to 100 words A fire that broke out in the basement of a 16-storey building in central Istanbul on Tuesday left at least 29 people dead, with flames and thick smoke lingering for hours despite a massive emergency response. According to the city governor's office, rescue efforts were over by evening and eight people were arrested after the fire started in the basement where a contractor was renovating the nightclub.According to the Davut Gul regional governor's office, the fire broke out at 12:47 local time in the Geireteppe area of the city's Besiktas district and was extinguished by late afternoon.An AFP reporter saw three exhausted firefighters, their faces and equipment blackened by smoke, sitting on the ground recovering from the action.
In addition to the 29 people who died, one injured person was still being treated in hospital, Gall's office said.
Fire and ambulance teams arrive in Istanbul's Besiktas district after a fire broke out during renovation work at a nightclub in the basement of a 16-story building in Istanbul, Turkey, April 2, 2024.
Image by Sercan Ozkurnazli/dia (via Getty Images)
It was not immediately clear whether the victim died from smoke inhalation or the flames.
Interior Minister Ali Erikaya: “Investigation into fire in Istanbul has begun'' posted on social media.Television footage from the scene showed large flames roaring through windows on lower floors, spewing columns of thick black smoke and engulfing the building's facade. According to Reuters, authorities cut off electricity, water and gas in the area as a precaution.The governor's office said all men working at the scene were killed, but did not say whether they were all the victims.Governor Dabut Gul told reporters at the scene that the cause of the fire was under investigation and that the victims were believed to have been involved in renovation work.
According to the private TV station Nippon Television, some of the victims died after being taken to hospitals by ambulance.The nightclub is closed during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, and the owners are trying to complete renovations in time for next week's Eid holiday, which follows the fasting month, NTV reported.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged the tragedy after a telephone conversation with the interior minister. BBC reported.”I lost four friends.”The toll increased throughout the afternoon, with most of the 12 initially reported to have sustained serious injuries and later died from their injuries despite hospital treatment.”I lost four friends,” local man Fikret Kaya told AFP as firefighters left the scene, but declined to say more.Near him, a woman wearing a black hat was crying with her head in her hands.The venue was a popular Gairettepe nightspot called 'Club Masquerade', which had several stages and regularly hosted live concerts.
Governor Gul said the license was first issued in 1987 and renewed in 2018, adding that the club had been “maintained and renovated”.However, local media reported that the owners had not obtained construction permits for the 1,500-seater club, which had no emergency exits and underground pillars had been removed, making it vulnerable to earthquakes.Those arrested included the club's owner and manager, as well as the president of the metal fabrication company that carried out the renovation work.Istanbul's re-elected mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who rushed to the scene, said, “The fire is under control. I hope there are no more casualties,'' and expressed his condolences to the families of the dead and injured.”May God have mercy on the people who lost their lives. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he said. posted on social mediawith image The video showed him talking with staff at the scene.
Gairetepede is 16 years later, Yazuku ki Hayatunu Kayveden Batandashlarrimzun Seibeden Seikan Yanganda ne Yazuku ki Hayatunu Kayveden Seibeden Seibeden Vatandasuralmuzin Seidus 16 years. Your Equiprelimidine you know more. pic.twitter.com/zOTlhf6EEE— Ekrem Imamoglu (@ekrem_imamoglu) April 2, 2024
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/istanbul-fire-dozens-killed-nightclub-apartment-building/ Fire destroys nightclub and apartment in Istanbul, killing at least 29 people: 'I lost four friends'
