A tragic fire at a nightclub in Istanbul has resulted in the deaths of at least 29 people, with several others seriously injured. The nightclub, situated in the Besiktas district, was undergoing renovation when the fire broke out. Turkish authorities have detained five individuals, including the nightclub’s managers and renovation staff, for questioning in relation to the incident. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation but is believed to be linked to the ongoing renovation work.

The fire occurred in the Masquerade nightclub, located within a 16-story residential building. Despite the efforts of firefighters to control the blaze, the impact of the fire has been profound, with the city mourning the loss and the tragedy attracting widespread attention.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül mentioned that the fire tore through the building’s basement, which was being renovated to serve again as a nightclub, indicating that employees of the nightclub were among the victims. Both the Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu have addressed the incident, extending condolences to the families of the deceased and assuring that investigations are underway to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences. Mayor Imamoglu confirmed that, in addition to the fatalities, at least eight people were injured, with seven in a serious condition.

Efforts to thoroughly inspect the safety of the building have been initiated as the community and officials seek to address the aftermath of this devastating fire. Updates on the situation are anticipated as the investigation progresses.