A Turkish court has handed down jail sentences to the owner and architect of a hotel that collapsed during the devastating earthquake in 2023, claiming the lives of 72 people, including a school volleyball team from Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus. The sentences have sparked mixed reactions, with some officials considering them too lenient, while others express satisfaction that those responsible for the hotel’s construction have been held accountable.
Who Received Prison Sentences for the Collapse of the Hotel?
Ahmet Bozkurt, the owner of the Isias Grand Hotel, and architect Erdem Yilmaz were each sentenced to 18 years and five months in prison. Bozkurt’s son, Mehmet Fatih, was also convicted and received a sentence of 17 years and four months. The sentences were reported by Anadolu news agency.
The Isias Grand Hotel, located in the southeastern Turkish city of Adiyaman, collapsed during the February 2023 earthquake, trapping a group of schoolchildren, teachers, and tourist guides inside. The victims had been staying at the hotel when the quake struck.
According to Anadolu, the three men were convicted of “causing the death or injury of more than one person through conscious negligence.”
What Did the Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Say About the Sentences?
The ruling has provoked reactions from both local and national figures. Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Unal Ustel, whose constituents were among the victims, expressed dissatisfaction with the length of the sentences, calling them “too lenient.” He stated, “Hotel owners did not get the expected punishment. But despite that, everyone from those responsible for the hotel’s construction to the architect was sentenced. That made us partially happy.”
Despite Ustel’s concerns, he acknowledged that the court’s decision brought a sense of justice, mainly as it affected those directly responsible for the building’s collapse.
How Did the Isias Grand Hotel Collapse During the Earthquake?
The collapse of the Isias Grand, which had been operating since 2001, was one of the most tragic and notable incidents during the February earthquake. The hotel had been hosting a school volleyball team from Famagusta Turkish Education College and around 40 tourist guides in town for training.
Among the victims were 39 members of the volleyball team, including teachers and students. Only four parents from the group survived. These survivors managed to dig themselves out from the rubble while the rest of the group, including all the children, perished in the collapse.
Once one of the most well-known in Adiyaman, the hotel fell to the ground in seconds as the earthquake struck.
What Were the Construction Issues That Led to the Hotel's Collapse?
Experts investigating the collapse have pointed to poor construction practices as a contributing factor. The Isias Grand’s support columns were made from a mixture of gravel and sand from the local river, which is considered a substandard building material. This flawed construction was critical to the hotel’s failure during the earthquake.
“The mix of gravel and sand used in the construction of the columns was inadequate, which likely led to the building’s inability to withstand the quake,” said one expert involved in the investigation. “It was not the structural integrity needed to handle such a powerful event.”
Why Has the Turkish Government Faced Criticism Over the Collapse?
The scale of the building collapses in the February 2023 earthquake prompted widespread criticism of the Turkish government’s role in encouraging a construction boom while failing to enforce stringent building regulations. Many critics argue that construction regulations had been relaxed, particularly after previous disasters, which contributed to the widespread damage and the catastrophic loss of life.
The Turkish government has since stated that hundreds of people are under investigation for their roles in the construction of unsafe buildings. Nearly 200 people have been arrested, including construction contractors, property owners, and others associated with the building industry.
What Is the Broader Impact of the February 2023 Earthquake?
The February 2023 earthquake claimed the lives of more than 50,000 people across Turkey and Syria. More than 160,000 buildings were either destroyed or severely damaged, leaving approximately 1.5 million people homeless.
While the conviction of the Isias Grand’s owner and architect marks a step toward justice for the victims, the tragedy has highlighted the need for greater accountability in construction practices and regulatory enforcement.
What Steps Should Be Taken to Prevent Future Disasters?
As the investigation into the earthquake continues, the Turkish government and various organizations are under increasing pressure to enforce stricter regulations and ensure that future construction projects adhere to safety standards. The hope is that tragedies like the collapse of the Isias Grand Hotel will not be repeated and that more lives can be saved in future natural disasters.
