A fire at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu, Turkey, claimed the lives of 76 people, according to the “Adyrna” national portal. Currently, the bodies of 52 victims have been identified.
The fire started on the fourth floor of the 12-story wooden building. At the time of the incident, there were 238 people in the hotel. Some guests jumped out of windows to escape the blaze, resulting in two fatalities. Others tried to descend by tying together bed sheets and blankets.
The fire broke out in the morning and took 10 hours to extinguish. The cause of the fire is still unknown, and investigations are ongoing. The Interior Ministry reported that nine people, including the hotel owner, have been detained.
As a result of the tragedy, January 22 was declared a national day of mourning in Turkey.
Following a government meeting, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured that those responsible would face justice.
“Those involved in this tragic incident and those who acted negligently will be held accountable before the law. Justice will be strictly enforced,” said the President.
As a mark of national mourning, flags across Turkey and at its overseas diplomatic missions were flown at half-mast from morning to evening.
Erdoğan called for national unity during this difficult time, urging people to set politics aside.
“This is not a time for politics but for unity and support. We invite everyone—politicians, the media, and local authorities—to share in the grief of our citizens,” he said.
The President also warned that strict measures would be taken against those who failed to fulfill their duties properly.
