From Grenfell to Kartalkaya:disasters, collective action, and social justice

Dedicated to the memory of Mert Doğan, Duygu Doğan, Mavi Doğan, and Doğa Doğan On 21 January 2025, a fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, Turkey, killed 78 people, including at least 36 children, and injured 51 others. Despite being one of the region’s top ski resorts, investigations revealed severe fire safety violations. The hotel lacked essential protections such as an automatic alarm, sprinkler system, functioning smoke detectors, and illuminated emergency exits. The area had no dedicated fire department, and the nearest units – nearly an hour away in Bolu – struggled to reach the scene due to harsh winter conditions, allowing the fire to burn unchecked for over 12 hours.