Tragic Blaze at Turkish Ski Resort Claims 66 Lives and Injures Over 50

According to authorities, an intense fire tore through a hotel in the ski haven of Kartalkaya in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday, during a school break, claiming at least 66 lives—two of whom succumbed while attempting to escape the fire by jumping from the building.

The Grand Kartal hotel, located in Bolu province, about 185 miles from Istanbul, was the scene of the tragic incident. More than 50 individuals sustained injuries, with one critically hurt, as reported by Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya disclosed the devastating event that coincided with the start of the school winter holiday.

Hotel guest Atakan Yelkovan recounted the chaos as people on the upper floors of the 12-story building used sheets to attempt to flee their rooms. The fire was detected around 3:27 a.m., and fire response teams arrived approximately an hour later. Commentary about the hotel's fire alarm system not functioning highlighted concerns regarding safety protocols.

The fire is believed to have originated in the dining area of the hotel. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc mentioned that incident investigations are underway with six prosecutors assigned to the case; several individuals were taken in for questioning, including the hotel proprietor.

In a day of mourning declared by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish flags will be flown at half-mast to honor the victims. A ski instructor at the resort, Necmi Kepcetutan, recounts rushing out to safety and assisting around 20 guests as smoke filled the building, complicating escape routes.

The exterior timber paneling, designed to mimic a chalet look, likely contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze, hindering firefighting efforts especially since part of the hotel sits on a steep incline.

Additional emergency services, including 30 fire engines and numerous ambulances, aimed to manage the crisis and neighboring lodgings were vacated as a precautionary measure.

Elsewhere, another unrelated incident—a gas explosion at a central Turkey hotel—caused injuries at a separate ski resort, evidently exacerbating the day’s already tragic events.