Deadly hotel fire in Turkiye ski resort claims 66 lives

Tuesday 21 January 2025 - 13:18

A devastating hotel fire at a ski resort in northwestern Turkiye has resulted in at least 66 fatalities, with 51 others reported injured. The fire erupted overnight in the restaurant area of a hotel in Kartalkaya, Bolu province, and quickly spread to other floors. Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya expressed profound sorrow over the loss of life, confirming the death toll after inspecting the site. At least one of the injured is in critical condition.

According to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin, the fire started on the fourth floor of the 11-story building around 3:30 a.m. Despite hours of firefighting efforts, the fire continued to rage. Investigations into the cause of the blaze are ongoing, with early reports indicating the fire originated from the restaurant floor.

Two victims tragically died after leaping from the building in panic, while the hotel had 234 guests at the time. Witnesses reported the hotel’s fire alarm system failed, delaying evacuation efforts. One guest recounted that the alarm didn’t sound, and it took an hour for firefighting teams to arrive. Onlookers observed people trying to escape by hanging sheets from windows and even attempting to jump.

The government has appointed six prosecutors to oversee the investigation. Preliminary reports suggest the wooden cladding on the exterior of the hotel might have contributed to the rapid spread of flames. The hotel’s location on a cliff also posed challenges for firefighting crews. The hotel’s 161 rooms were heavily damaged, with shattered windows and a collapsed chandelier in the lobby.

The Kartalkaya resort is a major winter destination, attracting numerous visitors each ski season, and is located roughly 295 km east of Istanbul.