A tragic fire engulfed a 12-story hotel at a popular ski resort in Kartalkaya, Turkey, resulting in a devastating loss of life. The Grand Kartal Hotel, located in the Koroglu mountains in Bolu province, became a scene of horror as flames tore through the building, leaving at least 76 people dead and 51 injured. The incident occurred at the start of a two-week winter break for schools, with hotels in the region at full capacity.
Witnesses described a harrowing scene of people trapped in smoke-filled rooms, some resorting to jumping from the building to escape the flames. The fire is believed to have started in the restaurant section on the fourth floor before rapidly spreading to the upper levels of the wooden-clad hotel.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, with nine individuals, including the hotel owner, detained for questioning. Flags were lowered to half-staff across the nation as Turkey mourned the victims of the tragedy.
Rescue efforts were hindered by the hotel's location on the side of a cliff, complicating access for emergency responders. Despite undergoing inspections in 2021 and 2024, no fire safety concerns were reported regarding the hotel's compliance.
Survivors and witnesses recounted the terrifying moments as people screamed for help and made desperate attempts to escape the inferno. Some individuals, including a man holding a baby, were forced to make heartbreaking decisions in the face of the rapidly spreading fire.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this devastating event, the full extent of the tragedy is still being uncovered, with only a portion of the deceased identified at this time. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this terrible loss.
