Gayrettepe nightclub fire
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 The building in the aftermath of the 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 at the Masquerade Club, in the Gayrettepe neighborhood of Beşiktaş, Istanbul, Turkey, killed 29 people.[1][2]
The club was located on Gonenoglu Street, a busy area of the Gayrettepe neighbourhood.[3] Its operating license was first granted in 1987 and last renewed in 2018.[4] It was closed for a month-long renovation coinciding with Ramadan,[5] and scheduled to reopen on 10 April.[6] The club spanned 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 had a capacity of 4,000,[5] and 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),[4] reached the third floor,[5] and was then extinguished in the late afternoon.[4] The fire killed 29 people, while at least eight people were injured, seven seriously. Victims were mostly renovation workers, but included a DJ and a cook.[8][3] Turkish media said that the "labyrinth"-like layout of the renovated area hampered escape efforts.[8]
Authorities cordoned off the vicinity of the building, while around 20 fire trucks and ambulances were dispatched to the area.[4] Neighborhood electricity and gas were also precautionarily shut off.[5]
Investigation
Five people were detained, including club managers and one renovation manager.[7] A total of 22 individuals were indicted, including the nightclub's owners, fire officials and 13 incumbent and former officials from the Beşiktaş municipality.[10]
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya tweeted that an investigation had been opened shortly after the fire was extinguished.[4] Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu said that the club had not applied for the proper construction permit.[11] On 3 April, Yeni Şafak, citing fire department officials, reported that the fire was likely caused by sparks from a welding machine used to install sound insulation and decoration material, which then caused an explosion that ignited other construction materials.[8]