Turkish Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy has verbally announced his resignation, but it is to be officially activated next month, writes the Turkish newspaper "Nefes", quoted by BTA.
According to the publication, which refers to unofficial information, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is planning a change in the composition of the government, and Ersoy is "first on the list of ministerial toto".
Regarding speculation about an upcoming change of ministers in Turkey, "Nefes" notes that while a month ago the likelihood of the tourism minister being replaced was considered "very small", now "he is at the top of the list".
Turkish media have linked the allegations of the tourism minister's resignation to the tragedy on January 21 at the "Grand Kartal" hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, where a fire tragically killed 78 people.
The fire has sparked discussions about negligence contributing to the events. It has emerged that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism was authorised to inspect the hotel and attention has been focused on Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, "Cumhuriyet" reports.
A total of 28 people have been detained in connection with the fire at the "Grand Kartal" hotel in the Turkish ski resort of Kartalkaya, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced today, as quoted by the state-run TRT-Haber television.
According to Erdogan, 19 of those detained, including the hotel owner, have been placed under permanent arrest. The president spoke in the Mejlis at a meeting of the parliamentary group of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The Turkish president assured that all those responsible for the tragedy in Kartalkaya (Bolu district) will be brought to justice.
No one will be able to escape responsibility, Erdogan threatened. He added that the commission set up to investigate the incident is continuing its work. The president pointed out that it has already been established that the risk of fire in the hotel was not adequately assessed and that the necessary safety measures were not taken.