At least twenty-nine people died on Tuesday April 2 in a fire which broke out in a nightclub located in the basement of a residential building in Istanbul, the governor’s office announced. In addition, one injured person is still hospitalized in serious condition, said the same source, according to a report regularly updated in press releases.
“A fire broke out in a [nightclub] located in the basement of a sixteen-story residential building in Gayrettepe, in the Besiktas district,” the governor’s office reported, specifying that the fire which had broken out declared “at 12:47 p.m.” (11:47 a.m. Paris time) was brought under control several hours later thanks to the intervention of the firefighters.
The toll has continued to evolve since the start of the disaster and most of the twelve people initially announced as seriously injured died despite being transferred to hospital.
The fire broke out during work being carried out at the nightclub, 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 has been opened following the fire in Gayrettepe, in the Besiktas district of Istanbul,” Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on X.
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”.