At least 66 people have died in a fire that engulfed the Grand Kartal Hotel, a popular ski resort in Turkey, forcing several guests to jump out of windows in a desperate attempt to escape.
According to the BBC, the fire broke out at 3:27 local time in the 12-storey building, which was accommodating 234 people during a peak holiday period.
Initially, authorities reported 10 deaths, but the Turkish interior ministry later confirmed a higher toll. Among the victims, at least two individuals succumbed to injuries sustained while trying to jump to safety.
The fire took 12 hours to be fully brought under control with emergency responders facing significant challenges due to freezing weather conditions and the hotel’s remote location.
Eyewitness accounts provided the harrowing details of the chaotic evacuation efforts. Footage shared on social media and cited by BBC shows linen hanging from windows, used by guests attempting to escape the raging blaze.
Ski instructor Necmi Kepcetutan, who was on the second floor when the fire started, managed to flee through the ski room and later assisted in rescue efforts. “I saw some members of the hotel owner’s family outside,” he told the BBC.
Authorities believe the fire originated in the hotel’s restaurant area on the fourth floor before spreading rapidly to the upper levels.
Bolu governor Abdulaziz Aydin indicated that the remote location of the hotel, situated in Kartalkaya, and the icy conditions delayed the arrival of fire engines by more than an hour.
The hotel management is investigating whether any guests, including children, were trapped inside their rooms as the fire spread. Reports suggest that the building had two fire escapes, and a hotel worker claimed they were able to rescue 30-35 people.
The Grand Kartal Hotel is a popular destination for skiers from Istanbul and Ankara, particularly during the winter school holidays. Situated approximately 170km from the Turkish capital, the region sees a high influx of visitors during peak seasons. Although the fire was contained to the hotel, officials evacuated a neighbouring establishment as a precautionary measure.
Survivors have been relocated to alternative accommodations closer to the centre of Bolu, where they are receiving support in the aftermath of the disaster. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, as authorities work to determine the exact circumstances behind this tragic event.
