Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay has said that three people have been arrested within the framework of the investigation into the collapse of the İsias Hotel following the February 6 earthquake.

The collapse of the hotel led to the death of young Turkish Cypriot athletes.

Oktay said that the investigation regarding the collapsed hotel in Adıyaman, as well as in the entire earthquake region, was continuing.

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay on Thursday issued a statement regarding the investigation on the collapse of the İsias Hotel in Adıyaman and the visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) by the leader of Türkiye’s main opposition party, Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

Touching upon the Turkic World summit that is taking place with the participation of 16 Turkic States hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Oktay stated that they attach great importance to the summit as it is a great example of solidarity among Turkic states.

Oktay reminded that more than 49,000 citizens, including 35 Turkish Cypriot children, had perished in the earthquake disaster.

“Once again I would like to express condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. May they rest in peace,” he said.

He said that while efforts are continuing to heal the wounds of the nation, investigations are being carried out to determine if there was neglect in the disaster.

Oktay also criticized the CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s visit to the TRNC where he paid his respects to the families of those who died at the İsias hotel disaster.

“We had stated in our joint press conference with the TRNC Prime Minister that three 3 people are currently in police custody as part of the investigation launched into the collapse of the hotel where our young Turkish Cypriot athletes had been staying. Despite all our efforts and our show of solidarity and unity, the leader of the Turkish main opposition party is making statements that are incompatible with the spirit of solidarity shown by our nation and exploiting the pains experienced turning it into a political tool,” said Oktay.