A devastating fire engulfed the Grand Kartal Hotel at Kartalkaya Ski Resort in northwestern Turkey early Tuesday morning, leaving at least 66 people dead and 51 injured. Among the injured, one person is reported to be in critical condition, according to Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu.
The blaze broke out around 3:30 a.m. in the restaurant of the 12-story hotel, located in Bolu province, during the peak of the ski season. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but early reports suggest that wooden cladding on the hotel’s exterior may have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
Chaos and Heroism Amid Disaster
The fire forced 234 guests to flee the building, with some resorting to desperate measures to escape. Two victims tragically lost their lives after jumping from the upper floors in panic, while others tried to climb down using bedsheets and blankets. Television footage captured the horrifying scene, with flames consuming the roof and upper floors and thick smoke billowing into the night sky.
Ski instructor Necmi Kepcetutan, who was staying at the hotel, recounted his ordeal. “I was asleep when the fire broke out. The smoke made it almost impossible to find the fire exits. I managed to help about 20 guests out of the building, but I still can’t reach some of my students. I hope they are safe,” he said.
Guests described a chaotic evacuation, hindered by the hotel’s failed fire detection system. Atakan Yelkovan, a guest on the third floor, said, “My wife smelled burning, but the alarm never went off. Flames blocked the upper floors, and people were screaming. It took nearly an hour for the fire trucks to arrive.”
Emergency Response and Investigation
Thirty fire trucks and 28 ambulances were dispatched to the remote resort, but the hotel’s cliffside location and strong winds complicated firefighting efforts. Authorities have launched a thorough investigation, appointing six prosecutors to determine the cause of the fire and any lapses in safety protocols.
Television footage showed the charred remains of the once-luxurious hotel, its lobby reduced to rubble with shattered windows, a destroyed reception desk, and a collapsed chandelier.
As a precaution, other hotels in the area were evacuated, and displaced guests were relocated to accommodations in nearby Bolu.
Peak Season Amplifies Impact
The fire occurred during Turkey’s school semester break, a time when Kartalkaya Ski Resort is bustling with tourists. Known for its picturesque slopes in the Köroğlu Mountains, the resort is a popular destination, located approximately 300 km east of Istanbul.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya expressed profound grief over the tragedy, saying, “We are in deep pain. We have lost 66 lives in this disaster.” The government has pledged full support to the victims’ families and survivors as investigations continue.