Gayrettepe nightclub 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 at least 29 people.[1][2]
Background
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
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] At least 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
Five people were detained after the fire, including managers of the club and one of the individuals in charge of the renovations.
Reactions
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
- ^ 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.
- Al Jazeera. 2 April 2024. Archivedfrom the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
- ^ USA TODAY. Archivedfrom 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.
- inews.co.uk. Archivedfrom 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.