Tragic Fire at Istanbul Nightclub During Renovations Claims 29 Lives; Multiple Detained for Questioning

On Tuesday, a tragic fire erupted at a nightclub in Istanbul while it was undergoing renovations, resulting in the loss of at least 29 lives, as confirmed by officials and reports. Among those affected, several individuals, including club managers, were apprehended for interrogation.

According to statements from the Istanbul governor’s office, at least one individual was receiving medical treatment at a hospital following the incident.

The nightclub in question, known as the Masquerade, had been temporarily closed for renovation works. Situated within a 16-story residential building in the Besiktas district on the European side of Istanbul, adjacent to the Bosphorus, the club occupied both ground and basement floors. Fortunately, emergency responders managed to extinguish the fire.

Governor Davut Gul, addressing the media at the scene, mentioned that investigations into the cause of the fire were underway. Initial assessments suggested that the victims might have been involved in the renovation activities.

Law enforcement officials apprehended five individuals for questioning, including club managers and one person overseeing the renovation process, stated Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc.

Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu emphasized that authorities were conducting thorough inspections of the entire building to ensure its structural integrity and safety in the aftermath of the fire.

Responding to the emergency, numerous firefighting and medical teams were swiftly dispatched to the scene to manage the situation effectively.