Fire extinguisher prices in Turkey rise 43 pct in a week after deadly hotel fire

Aydın Ağaoğlu, chair of Turkey's Consumer Confederation, stated that following the fatal hotel fire, there has been a steep increase in the prices of fire safety products and noted that fire extinguisher prices have risen by 43% in just one week.

Wednesday January 29 2025 12:35 am

Duvar English

Following the fatal ski resort fire in Bolu province, which claimed the lives of 78 people, prices for fire safety products have surged in just one week.

Consumer Confederation President Aydın Ağaoğlu criticized this exploitation, stating it poses a threat to public safety. He urged those witnessing such price hikes to report them to the Trade Ministry.

Highlighting the importance of penalizing profiteering on items like fire extinguishers and smoke detectors, Ağaoğlu revealed that prices have increased by 43%.

Ağaoğlu also pointed out that similar price hikes were seen during the pandemic on products like masks and disinfectants. He added, "According to Article 237 of the Turkish Penal Code, actions that lead to price increases or decreases can result in imprisonment for up to three years."

Ağaoğlu emphasized that consumers should be cautious not only about exorbitant price hikes but also about the quality of safety equipment. "Another unethical practice is that some may fill fire extinguishers with marble dust instead of chemical powder. This reduces their functionality during a fire," he said.

Fatih Uysan, the press spokesperson for the Trade Ministry of, stated in an announcement on the social media platform X that inspections on fire safety products have been intensified. Uysan's statement read, "Necessary penalties are being applied to businesses that implement exorbitant price increases."

In another statement, the Trade Ministry announced that, within the framework of fire safety product inspections conducted in 81 provinces, defense statement requests were made to 351 of the 395 businesses that were inspected.

The fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the ski resort has ignited controversy surrounding safety protocols and the potential neglect of authorities in conducting routine checks on safety standards.