A devastating fire swept through the Grand Kartal Hotel in Turkey’s Kartalkaya ski resort early Tuesday, leaving at least 76 people dead and 51 others injured. The tragedy unfolded in the early hours, around 3:30 a.m., at the 12-story hotel located in the scenic Köroğlu Mountains in Bolu province.
Turkish authorities have arrested four people, including the hotel’s owner, in connection with the fire. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç confirmed the arrests and vowed a thorough investigation, stating, “Every aspect of this incident is being carefully examined.”
Eyewitnesses recounted horrifying scenes as the flames spread rapidly. Guests trapped on upper floors screamed for help, with some resorting to desperate measures. “I saw a father clutching his baby, asking for pillows so he could lower his child safely,” a hotel worker told local media. Thankfully, emergency responders arrived in time to rescue them. Tragically, two women staying on the top floor, which housed students, jumped to their deaths.
Atakan Yelkovan, a guest at the hotel, shared his chilling experience: “My wife smelled something burning, but the alarm didn’t go off. When we tried to go upstairs, the flames blocked us. We had no choice but to rush outside.” Another guest, Eylem Senturk, managed to escape with her daughter, but her husband had to jump from a window to a safety roof to survive.
The hotel was hosting over 230 guests when the fire broke out. Authorities believe the blaze may have started in the restaurant area before spreading quickly. The location’s remote setting and freezing weather conditions delayed firefighters’ arrival, despite nearly 270 emergency personnel being dispatched to the scene.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a national day of mourning for Wednesday, promising accountability for the tragedy. “Those responsible will face justice,” he said. Meanwhile, Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, though the exact cause of the fire remains unknown.
The U.S. Consulate in Istanbul expressed condolences to the victims and their families but has not reported any American citizens among those affected.
As the nation mourns, the focus now turns to finding answers and ensuring justice for the victims of this heartbreaking incident.
