Tue Jan 21 07:26:04 UTC 2025: ## Deadly Hotel Fire Kills 66 in Turkish Ski Resort

**Kartalkaya, Turkey** – A devastating fire at a hotel in the Turkish ski resort of Kartalkaya has claimed the lives of at least 66 people, with 51 more injured, officials confirmed. The blaze erupted overnight in the restaurant of the 11-story hotel in Bolu province, approximately 295km east of Istanbul.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya described the incident as a profound tragedy, stating that the death toll had reached 66. Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu added that at least one of the injured is in critical condition.

According to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin, the fire started on the fourth floor around 3:30 am local time (00:30 GMT). Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, but the hotel’s location on a cliffside hampered rescue efforts. Two victims perished after jumping from the building in a desperate attempt to escape. Aydin revealed that 234 guests were staying at the 161-room hotel at the time of the fire.

Witnesses reported that the hotel’s fire alarm system malfunctioned, contributing to the high casualty count. Atakan Yelkovan, a guest on the third floor, recounted the horrifying experience, stating that he and his wife smelled smoke but the alarm never sounded. He further described the chaotic scene, with people screaming from upper floors and attempting to escape by any means possible. He claimed it took approximately an hour for firefighters to arrive.

Television footage displayed the extensive damage, with the roof and upper floors engulfed in flames. The hotel’s lobby was left smoke-blackened, with shattered windows and significant damage to the interior. Private television station NTV speculated that the wooden exterior cladding of the chalet-style hotel may have accelerated the fire’s rapid spread.

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the fire, appointing six prosecutors to lead the inquiry. Kartalkaya, a popular winter tourism destination, is now grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event.

Read More