Türkiye: Death toll rises to around 30 in a fire at a nightclub in Istanbul

MADRID, 2 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –

At least 29 people died this Tuesday, victims of the flames of a fire that broke out in a nightclub located in the basement of a 16-story residential building in the Besiktas neighborhood, in the Turkish city of Istanbul, in the northwest of the country.

The governor of Istanbul, Davut Gul, has detailed that the fire broke out in the basement of the building, where a nightclub that was being renovated is located, according to information collected by the Turkish news agency Anatolia.

Although the governor has acknowledged that it is not yet possible to know the identity of the deceased, he has indicated that they are workers who participated in the renovation works of the premises. Gul highlighted that the nightclub had renewed its license in 2018.

After receiving notification of the incident, the Turkish authorities have deployed up to 31 fire vehicles and a team of almost 90 people to the area. Police officers and health personnel are also present at the scene.

However, Gul stressed that the causes of the fire are still unclear, and reported that firefighters are still working at the scene. The governor has confirmed injuries, although he has not detailed figures.

The Minister of the Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, has launched a publication on his social networks where he has expressed his regret for what happened and has confirmed that the authorities have launched an investigation to determine the origin of the flames.

The authorities have appointed a trio of prosecutors in charge of the investigations and have already issued arrest warrants against five suspects, including three workers, the person in charge of the work and the manager responsible for the reform.