Uludağ Kervansaray Hotel Fire (2025)

The fire occurred at the Kervansaray Hotel in the Uludağ Hotels Region of Bursa, Türkiye, on March 27, 2025. Among the victims were national skier Berkin Usta, who had represented Türkiye at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, his mother Fikriye Usta, and his father Yahya Usta, who served as the president of the Association of Ski and Snowboard Instructors of Türkiye.

It was later determined that the hotel continued operations despite the expiration of its operating license and the cancellation of its accommodation permit in January 2025.

Outbreak of the Fire and Emergency Response

The fire began at 05:29 a.m. on the morning of March 27, 2025, in the cafeteria section of the Kervansaray Hotel. The Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department responded within three minutes, deploying 25 vehicles and 60 personnel. The response was coordinated with gendarmerie and AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) units.

All 12 staff members in the building at the time were evacuated. However, Yahya Usta, his wife Fikriye Usta, and their son Berkin Usta, unconscious due to smoke inhalation, were removed from the building. Despite intensive medical intervention, Yahya and Berkin Usta could not be saved. Fikriye Usta was hospitalized with severe injuries.

Victims of the Fire

Among the deceased were national athlete Berkin Usta and his father Yahya Usta. Berkin Usta had competed in the giant slalom discipline at the 2017 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival, achieving the best result for Türkiye. He won a silver medal at the FIS Anatolia Cup in 2021 and was one of the athletes representing Türkiye at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Approximately 12 hours before the fire, a social media post was shared from the hotel’s fireplace area. Yahya Usta, as the president of the Association of Ski and Snowboard Instructors of Türkiye, was staying with his family on the fifth floor of the hotel when the fire broke out.

Legal Status of the Hotel

The tourism operating license of the Kervansaray Hotel had expired, its allocation process under the National Parks had concluded, and its municipal permit had not been renewed. Therefore, the hotel was officially shut down in January 2025. Nevertheless, it continued to be used, and staff were present in the building at the time of the fire.

The fact that the hotel remained in operation despite the cancellation of its accommodation permit sparked public allegations of administrative negligence.

Investigation and Inquiries

The Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched a criminal investigation into the fire. A team of experts, including a deputy chief prosecutor, two public prosecutors, mechanical and electrical engineers, and fire department officials, was assigned to determine the cause of the fire and identify potential responsible parties. Additionally, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security appointed inspectors to investigate the incident.