Gayrettepe nightclub fire
 The building in the aftermath of the fire | |
| Date | 2 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location | Masquerade Club, Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey |
| Coordinates | 41°3′56″N 29°0′30″E / 41.06556°N 29.00833°E |
| Type | Fire |
| Deaths | 29 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 8 |
On 2 April 2024, a fire broke out at the Masquerade Club, in the Gayrettepe neighborhood of Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey, killing 29 people.[1][2]
Background
[edit]The club, which was located on Gonenoglu Street, a busy area of the Gayrettepe neighbourhood,[3] first received its operating license in 1987 and was last renewed in 2018.[4] At the time of the fire, the club was closed for a month long renovation coinciding with Ramadan,[5] and was scheduled to reopen on 10 April.[6] It was located in the basement and ground level below a 16-story residential building.[7] The building's manager said that the venue of the club was originally designed as a cinema.[8] The club, which had a capacity of 4,000,[5] ran a mixture of deep house and hip hop nights with live music and multiple stages.[9][4]
Fire
[edit]According to the city governor's office, the fire began at 12:47 (09:47 GMT) with the blaze extinguished in the late afternoon[4] after it had reached the building's third floor.[5] 29 people died in the fire, while at least eight people were injured, seven seriously. Most of the victims were construction workers doing the renovations, as well as a club DJ and a cook.[8][3] Turkish media said that the lay-out of the renovated area was similar to a "labyrinth", which hampered escape efforts.[8]
Authorities sealed off the vicinity of the building, while around 20 fire trucks and ambulances were dispatched to the area.[4] Electricity and gas supplies to the neighborhood were also shut off as a precaution.[5]
Investigation
[edit]Five people were detained after the fire, including managers of the club and one of the individuals in charge of the renovations.[7] The Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that an investigation had been opened into the fire shortly after it was extinguished.[4] The Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, said that the club had not applied for the proper construction permit.[10] On 3 April, Yeni Şafak, citing fire department officials, reported that the fire was believed to have been caused by sparks from a welding machine used to install sound insulation and decoration material, which then caused an explosion that set other construction materials ablaze.[8]
A total of 22 individuals were charged over the disaster, including the nightclub's owners and 13 incumbent and former officials from the Beşiktaş municipality and fire department officials.[11]
Reactions
[edit]İmamoğlu expressed condolences to the victims of the fire. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was also briefed on the incident over a phone call by Ali Yerlikaya.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Howard, Jacqueline (2 April 2024). "Dozens dead in Istanbul nightclub fire". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ Kucukgocmen, Ali (2 April 2024). "Daytime fire kills 29 people at Istanbul nightclub". Reuters. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ a b Zaman, Tanem; Alam, Hande Atay (2 April 2024). "Fire at Istanbul nightclub kills dozens during renovation work, state media says". CNN. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Dozens killed in fire at Istanbul nightclub closed for renovations". France 24. 2 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Fire at popular Istanbul nightclub during renovations kills at least 29 people". Associated Press. 2 April 2024. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ "Fire at nightclub in Turkey's Istanbul kills at least 29 people". Al Jazeera. 2 April 2024. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ a b Thornton, Claire (2 April 2024). "More than 25 dead in Istanbul after fire broke out during nightclub's renovations". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Deadly Istanbul nightclub fire was likely caused by welding sparks, Turkish media reports say". Associated Press. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ McCurdy, Will (2 April 2024). "At least 29 killed in fire during Istanbul nightclub renovation". inews.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ "29 Killed In Fire At Turkish Nightclub, Masquerade". The Republic Reporter. 2 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ "Turkish prosecutors charge 13 over Istanbul nightclub fire that killed 29". Associated Press. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.