ISTANBUL, TURKEY – Tragedy struck in Istanbul during the ongoing renovations at the Masquerade nightclub. At this club, a deadly fire claimed at least 29 lives as the building was consumed by flames. The nightclub, located in the city’s bustling Besiktas district, was closed to patrons at the time of the blaze.
Authorities are urgently investigating the cause of the fire to determine the reason behind the mass death. The 29 lives that were lost were believed to be workers who were participating in the renovation process. In addition to the fatalities, one person is hospitalized for injuries sustained in the incident.
An immediate response saw firefighters battle the blaze and medical teams attend to the injured. Six individuals, including club management and renovation supervisors, have been detained as officials seek answers about the origin of the incident.
The nightclub was shuttered during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. However, it was reportedly undergoing renovations aimed at reopening after the Eid holiday.
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu condemned the tragedy and revealed that the nightclub was operating without the necessary construction permits that would aid in providing additional saftey measures. He also pledged a full safety inspection of the building that was impacted by the fatal fire.