Responsibility of public administrations in hotel fires: The case of the Kartalkaya hotel fire, Bolu province of Türkiye

The hotel fire disaster, which occurred in Bolu Kartalkaya, one of the important centers of winter tourism in Türkiye, resulted in 78 deaths. This fire disaster is one of the few events that require a multidimensional legal analysis within the framework of administrative responsibility and service defect principles in administrative law, as well as the punishment of those responsible. The administration has the right to close businesses that violate legislation and have deficiencies that endanger people's lives and property. Similarly, disaster and fire safety inspections are a public duty that cannot be left to the arbitrary application and unilateral discretion of administrations. Administrative measures and legislative changes are essential to protect the public from disasters and fires. To intervene effectively in all kinds of emergencies, the administrative measures that need to be taken and the legislative changes that need to be made should be made with the contributions of all parties of the subject and the sector. This study examines the administration's authority and responsibilities in licensing hotel enterprises, supervising fire precautions, and managing emergency response processes, regardless of ongoing judicial activity. In addition, to examine the issue from a public law perspective within the framework of the distribution of powers and responsibilities among relevant administrative units, audit weaknesses, and the principles of service defect in administrative law, this study aims to offer constructive suggestions on legislation and administrative structure.