Ankara (Web Desk): A devastating fire struck the Grand Kartal Hotel, located in the popular Kartalkaya ski resort in northwestern Turkey, on Tuesday morning, leaving at least 66 people dead and injuring 51 others.
The blaze began in the hotel’s restaurant around 3:30am, and though emergency services arrived about an hour later, the rapid spread of the flames made it challenging to control.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the tragic toll, expressing his sorrow over the loss of life.
Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu reported that some of the injured are in critical condition.
Among the victims, two died after reportedly leaping from the building in a desperate attempt to escape the fire.
According to Governor Abdulaziz Aydin, others tried to lower themselves from higher floors using bedsheets in a panic.
The hotel, a 12-story structure with 161 rooms, was fully booked, housing 234 guests at the time of the fire.
One hotel employee described how thick smoke made it nearly impossible for guests to find exits, and despite his efforts to help 20 guests escape, he feared for the safety of others.
There are reports that the hotel’s fire alarm system failed to activate, leaving many guests unaware of the danger until it was too late.
Authorities have begun an investigation, with suggestions that the hotel’s wooden cladding may have fueled the fire's spread.
The building's position on a cliff made firefighting efforts particularly difficult. In response to the crisis, nearby hotels were evacuated, and emergency services deployed dozens of vehicles to assist.
This incident occurred during the peak winter season when ski resorts are at their busiest, particularly during Turkey's school break.
As Turkey grieves this tragedy, authorities are also dealing with another incident—a gas explosion at a ski resort in central Turkey's Sivas province. The explosion injured four people, though none sustained life-threatening injuries.
