Fire At Turkish Ski Resort Hotel Leaves 10 Dead, 32 Injured.
A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Turkish ski resort of Bolu has resulted in the tragic loss of 10 lives and left 32 others injured, according to Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
The blaze erupted at approximately 03:27 local time (00:27 GMT) on a busy holiday night when 234 guests were staying at the 12-storey hotel. Reports indicate that at least two victims perished after jumping from windows in a desperate bid to escape the flames.
Videos shared across Turkish social media platforms depicted bed linens hanging from windows, used by guests attempting to flee the inferno. The fire is believed to have started in the hotel’s restaurant on the fourth floor before spreading upwards.
Bolu’s Governor, Abdulaziz Aydin, stated that the initial delay in the fire response was due to the hotel’s remote location in Kartalkaya, compounded by harsh winter conditions, which extended the travel time for fire engines to over an hour. Despite these challenges, 267 emergency service personnel were dispatched to tackle the fire and assist with rescue operations.
Throughout the morning, efforts to reach all parts of the hotel continued, with the local mayor confirming ongoing attempts to access trapped individuals. The proximity of the Bolu mountains, popular among skiers from Istanbul and Ankara, particularly during the two-week school holidays, had led to high occupancy at the hotel.
As a precaution, a neighbouring hotel was evacuated to prevent the spread of the fire or further casualties. Necmi Kepcetutan, a ski instructor familiar with the layout of the hotel, recounted his escape and the harrowing scenes he witnessed. “People were shouting at the windows, ‘Save us,’ because there was intense smoke inside. We pulled 20-25 people out,” he told NTV television.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirming that prosecutors have been assigned to look into the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
The incident has cast a shadow over what is typically a festive time in Bolu, a town located about 170km from Ankara, known for its scenic ski facilities. As the community mourns, questions about safety in such large-scale accommodations during peak seasons are likely to be at the forefront of discussions.
