Tragedy Strikes with the Loss of National Athlete and His Father

A devastating fire broke out at Kervansaray Hotel in Uludağ, Bursa. Turkey Ski and Snowboard Instructors Association President Yahya Usta and his son, national skier Berkin Usta who represented Turkey at the Beijing Winter Olympics, lost their lives in the blaze.

Anne Fikriye Usta, on the other hand, sustained severe injuries. It was revealed that champion skier Berkin posted a story from the hotel’s fireplace on social media the evening before his passing.

A Video Remains as His Last Memory!

What remains of the tragic incident is a video recorded by champion skier Berkin Usta last night before the Beijing Olympics, shared on social media from Uludağ. Starting with a view from Uludağ’s slopes, Berkin later shared a video from inside the hotel to the tune of a passing time song. However, these images turned out to be his final moments captured.

HOTEL MANAGER TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

Following the incident, Bursa Provincial Gendarmerie forces, coordinated by the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, took hotel manager Tekin Demir into custody. After his statement at the Gendarmerie Command, Demir is expected to be transferred to the courthouse.

RECOVERING LAST NIGHT

It was learned that Yahya Usta, the coach of the deceased ski instructors, met with the families last night as the season came to an end and they were planning to go on a holiday. It was stated that the bodies of Berkin and Yahya Usta were taken to the forensic medicine morgue as the investigation by the Public Prosecution Office continues.

CLAIM OF “FIRE STARTED FROM THE BARBECUE”

It was claimed that Yahya Kemal Usta, who manages the ski room and cafeteria of the hotel, was present at the hotel with his son Berkin Usta and wife Fikriye Usta during the fire. The fire allegedly started when a spark from the barbecue on the veranda ignited the plastic area above it.

WHO IS BERKIN USTA?

Berkin Usta, a member of the Turkey Ski Federation Alpine Discipline National Team, represented Turkey in the Men’s Giant Slalom at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Competing among 89 athletes, Berkin Usta ranked 45th with a time of 1:17.91 in his first run and achieved a time of 1:24.81 in his second run. With a total time of 2:42.72, Berkin Usta finished 43rd in his debut Olympic Games.