The Besiktas nightclub fire was tragically inevitable

At least 29 workers died and two were seriously injured yesterday in a fire at an Istanbul nightclub. The Masquerade club is in the basement of a 16-storey building in the Turkish city’s Besiktas district, known for its nightlife, and was being renovated. Nine people have been arrested in connection with the blaze.

The fire has shone a spotlight on the dangers to construction workers in Turkey. Last year, almost 2,000 died in workplace accidents. Trade unions and opposition parties have long accused the government of failing to enforce safety regulations in order to maintain economic growth and attract foreign companies.

A construction boom has been taking place in Turkey following last year’s huge earthquake in which tens of thousands of people died, many from buildings collapsing. In the rush to rebuild, there has been a spike in workplace deaths, and authorities continue to turn a blind eye to safety rules. 

Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, promised to investigate the incident, but said that the club had not sought permission to carry out renovations.