A deadly fire swept through a 12-storey wooden hotel at Kartalkaya Ski Resort in northern Turkey’s Bolu province, early Monday, leaving at least 66 people dead and 51 injured. The fire broke out in the restaurant area at around 3:30 am and spread quickly due to the building’s wooden structure.
The hotel was near full capacity, hosting 238 guests during the winter holiday season. Emergency services were alerted immediately, but despite rapid evacuation efforts, many were unable to escape the flames. Footage showed desperate guests tying bedsheets together to climb down from windows.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya called it a “national tragedy” and announced an investigation into the cuse of the fire. Six prosecutors and five safety experts have been assigned to the case. Authorities have not ruled out safety regulation breaches, but no arrests have been made.
Bolu’s 2nd Criminal Court of Peace imposed a media ban on reporting, interviews, or criticism related to the investigation, citing its sensitive nature.
Temporary medical facilities were set up on-site to treat the injured, with one person in critical condition. Overwhelmed morgue facilities necessitated using refrigerated trucks to preserve the victims’ remains.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and officials are urging patience as the investigation unfolds.
