Home Fire News Massive Fire Breaks Out At Ski Resort In Turkey; 66 Dead, 51 Injured

Massive Fire Breaks Out At Ski Resort In Turkey; 66 Dead, 51 Injured

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Kartalkaya: A devastating fire swept through a hotel at a ski resort in northwestern Turkey early Tuesday, leaving at least 66 people dead and 51 others injured, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. The tragic incident occurred at the 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, located approximately 170 kilometers northwest of Ankara. The blaze broke out at 3:27 a.m. local time in the hotel’s restaurant before spreading rapidly throughout the wooden-clad building, Yerlikaya said. The Grand Kartal was at near full capacity, hosting 238 registered guests during Turkey’s school holiday peak season. Witnesses described harrowing scenes as desperate guests attempted to escape the flames. Footage from the site showed bedsheets tied and hanging from windows, indicating makeshift escape attempts. Some guests reportedly jumped from windows, with at least three fatalities attributed to such efforts. ‘Our Pain is Great’ Interior Minister Yerlikaya, addressing reporters at the site, expressed grief over the tragedy. “Our pain is great. Sixty-six citizens lost their lives, and 51 others are wounded,” he said. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan interrupted a speech in Ankara to acknowledge the disaster, stating, “Our heartache is great.” He assured the nation that a full investigation was underway. “All necessary steps will be taken to shed light on all aspects of the incident and to hold those responsible accountable,” he added. Barış Salgur, a worker at a nearby hotel, recounted the chaos of the early hours. “I heard screams around midnight. Residents were shouting for help. They asked for blankets, saying they would jump. We brought ropes, pillows, and even a sofa. Some people threw themselves as the flames approached,” Salgur told NTV television. Survivors expressed frustration over the lack of safety measures, with one claiming no fire alarms or smoke detectors were operational. Tourism Minister Nuri Ersoy confirmed the hotel had two fire escapes but did not address the reports of missing alarms. Rescue Continues Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, facing significant challenges as part of the hotel backs onto a cliff, complicating rescue and containment efforts. Evacuated guests have been relocated to nearby accommodations, authorities said. The hotel lobby was left in ruins, with charred furniture and shattered glass visible in video footage from the scene. Authorities have warned that the structure remains at risk of collapse. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced that six prosecutors had been assigned to investigate the incident. “We will determine the cause of the fire and ensure accountability,” Tunç said, reported AFP. A Nation in MourningAs Turkey mourns this tragedy, questions about safety protocols at the popular ski resort are mounting. While investigations continue, families of the victims are left to grieve, and the nation awaits answers about how this preventable disaster unfolded. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from World and around the world. Read more

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