A devastating fire at a ski resort hotel in northwestern Türkiye kills dozens, with many guests attempting to escape by jumping from windows.
A devastating fire at a hotel in a popular ski resort in northwestern Türkiye on Tuesday, January 21, has resulted in the deaths of 66 people, with many more injured. Authorities have expressed their deep sorrow over the tragedy, as officials confirm that the fire has now been brought under control.
According to witnesses, some hotel guests resorted to desperate measures to escape the inferno, including trying to lower themselves from windows using ropes or jumping to safety. Media reports suggest that some individuals perished while attempting to escape by jumping from the burning building.
“Our pain is immense,” Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said, speaking to reporters at the scene in Kartalkaya, located 170 kilometres northwest of Ankara. He confirmed that 66 people had lost their lives, while 51 others had sustained injuries.
The fire broke out at 3:27 am at the Grand Kartal hotel, a 12-storey building with wooden cladding. There were 238 guests registered at the hotel at the time of the incident, which occurred during a peak period of the two-week school holiday.
Turkish authorities have detained four individuals in connection with the fire, including the hotel owner, as part of their investigation. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc also announced that six prosecutors had been assigned to probe the cause of the blaze.
Reports from local broadcaster NTV revealed that the victims included three individuals who had jumped from the hotel’s windows to escape the flames.
It is believed the fire started in the hotel’s restaurant and spread quickly, though the exact cause is still under investigation. Part of the building is positioned against a cliff, which made it more difficult for firefighters to access the affected areas.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while attending a congress for his ruling AKP party in Ankara, cut short his speech to address the tragedy. “Our hearts are heavy, and our sorrow is great,” he said, adding that investigations into the incident were underway. “We will take all necessary actions to uncover the full details of what happened and ensure accountability.”
Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene. “I heard screams around midnight. People were shouting for help and asking for blankets, saying they were going to jump,” recalled Baris Salgur, who works at a nearby hotel. “We did what we could, bringing ropes, pillows, and a sofa, but some people had no choice but to leap when the flames neared.”
Survivors of the fire described a scene of devastation, with the hotel lobby severely damaged and glass shards scattered on the floor. Authorities warned that the building might collapse due to the fire’s intensity.
One survivor, who managed to escape the flames, stated that no fire alarms had sounded when the fire began. They also criticised the lack of safety features, including fire escapes and smoke detectors. In response, Tourism Minister Nuri Ersoy confirmed that the hotel held a fire safety certificate issued by the fire department. He added that fire inspections were supposed to be conducted regularly.
Images from the scene showed bed sheets hanging from windows, with guests attempting to use them as makeshift ropes to climb down. Those who managed to escape have been relocated to nearby hotels.
