29 Killed, Several Injured As Fire Breaks Out At Nightclub in Istanbul; 5 Held

Istanbul: A massive fire ripped through a nightclub undergoing renovations in Istanbul on Tuesday, claiming the lives of at least 29 people, according to officials and news reports. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

Authorities detained several individuals for questioning, including managers of the Masquerade nightclub and a person overseeing the renovation project, as reported by Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc.

The fire erupted at the Masquerade nightclub, located on the ground and basement floors of a 16-story residential building in Besiktas, a district situated on the European side of Istanbul. Thankfully, firefighters successfully extinguished the flames.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gul confirmed that the fire originated during renovation work and that the victims were likely construction personnel.

Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu reported that authorities launched a comprehensive inspection of the entire building to evaluate its structural integrity and safety.

Multiple fire crews and medical teams were promptly dispatched to the scene to contain the fire and provide medical attention to those affected.