DistantNews
Support us
Justice walk for 78 fire victims begins in Bolu, heads to Ankara
🇹🇷 Turkey /Crime & Justice

Justice walk for 78 fire victims begins in Bolu, heads to Ankara

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Families who lost loved ones in the Bolu Grand Kartal Hotel fire are demanding accountability from government officials.
  • Oktay Akişli is walking 186 kilometers from Bolu to Ankara to seek justice for the 78 victims of the fire.
  • Akişli's walk highlights a broader call for justice, emphasizing that no one is above the law, regardless of their position.

Oktay Akişli embarked on a 186-kilometer "Justice Walk for 78 Souls" from Bolu to Ankara, demanding accountability for the victims of the Grand Kartal Hotel fire. Akişli lost his mother, brother, and 11-year-old niece in the blaze.

Justice must be applied equally to everyone responsible for negligence, not just a few defendants.

— Oktay AkişliBefore starting the walk, Akişli explained his motivation and demands.

His primary demand is for officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security to face legal consequences. Akişli stated that the investigation identified "faulty" officials from these ministries. He insists that justice must be applied equally to everyone responsible for negligence, not just a few defendants.

No one is above the law due to their position, duty, or title.

— Oktay AkişliAkişli's statement at the beginning of the justice walk.

"No one is above the law due to their position, duty, or title," Akişli declared as he began his walk. He emphasized that each step and kilometer is dedicated to the memory of the 78 lives lost and the ongoing struggle for justice. The walk, he explained, is not just a physical journey but a call to conscience, law, and justice.

This walk is not just a journey from Bolu to Ankara. This walk is a call to conscience, law, and justice.

— Oktay AkişliAkişli described the symbolic meaning of his walk.

Akişli recounted that his brother had booked the hotel through ETS Tour and that he had contacted the firm three times during the fire. He vowed, "We will not let them get away with this." He also mentioned that families who lost loved ones in other disasters across Turkey have reached out to him, drawing strength from their support. He expressed hope that the end of this path would bring justice.

We will not let them get away with this.

— Oktay AkişliAkişli's vow regarding the tour company involved in booking the hotel.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog