Tragic Fire at Turkish Ski Resort Claims 76 Lives: Investigation Underway.
On January 21, 2025, a devastating fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the popular ski resort of Kartalkaya, Bolu Province, Turkey. The fire, which started around 3:27 a.m. local time, resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 76 people and injured 51 others. The blaze began in the hotel’s restaurant section and quickly spread to the upper floors, engulfing the 12-story building in flames.
The hotel, which had 161 rooms and was hosting 238 guests at the time, faced significant challenges during the firefighting efforts. Emergency personnel, including 267 responders, 30 fire trucks, and 28 ambulances, were deployed to the scene. However, the hotel’s location on the side of a cliff and freezing weather conditions delayed the arrival of the first responders. Witnesses reported that the hotel’s fire detection system did not activate, forcing some occupants to use sheets and blankets to escape from their rooms.
The Turkish interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, confirmed that the fire resulted in at least 76 fatalities, including two individuals who jumped from the building in a panic. The majority of the deaths were likely caused by suffocation due to smoke inhalation. The health minister reported that one of the injured was in serious condition, while 17 others had been treated and discharged from the hospital.
In the aftermath of the fire, Turkish authorities launched a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the blaze. A team of six prosecutors and five experts were assigned to the case, and four individuals, including the hotel’s owner, were arrested for questioning. The investigation aims to uncover any potential negligence or violations of fire safety regulations that may have contributed to the tragedy.
The incident has raised significant concerns about fire safety measures and emergency response protocols in Turkey. The Minister of Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, stated that the hotel had passed fire safety inspections in 2021 and 2024, but the Mayor of Bolu, Tanju Özcan, countered this claim, emphasizing the need for stricter oversight and accountability.
As the investigation continues, the Turkish government has declared a day of national mourning to honor the victims of this tragic event. The fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent fire safety standards and the need for effective emergency response systems to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.