Deadly fire sweeps through Turkish ski resort hotel, killing 66

A devastating fire broke out early this morning at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center, claiming the lives of 66 people and injuring at least 51 others. The fire started at 03:27 local time (00:27 GMT) during a peak holiday season, with 234 guests staying at the hotel.

Initially, 10 fatalities were reported, but the death toll quickly climbed as emergency responders worked through the night. Some victims reportedly died after jumping from windows in an attempt to escape the flames. Eyewitness footage showed sheets hanging from the hotel’s upper floors as guests used them to flee the inferno.

Bolu’s Governor, Abdulaziz Aydin, confirmed that the fire likely began in the hotel’s restaurant on the fourth floor before rapidly spreading to higher levels. Rescue teams faced significant delays due to the hotel’s remote location and freezing temperatures, with it taking over an hour for fire engines to arrive.

Emergency services have deployed 267 personnel to assist in rescue operations, and local authorities are continuing to search the hotel for any survivors. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, with Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc assigning prosecutors to look into the incident.

The fire was confined to the Grand Kartal Hotel, but as a precaution, a nearby hotel was evacuated. The region, about 170 kilometers from Ankara, is a popular destination for skiers from Istanbul and the capital, particularly during the school holidays.

Ski instructor Necmi Kepcetutan, who managed to escape, described the horror as guests trapped by smoke begged for help. He and others were able to rescue 20-25 people from the building. Investigations into the fire’s cause are ongoing, and authorities continue to work in difficult conditions.

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