Turkey ski resort hotel fire leaves 10 dead

At least 10 people killed and 32 injured in a hotel fire at Grand Kartal Hotel in Turkey's Kartalkaya resort.

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A fire that broke out early Tuesday morning at a ski resort hotel in northwestern Turkey has claimed the lives of at least 10 people and left 32 others injured, according to Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

The blaze began at 3:27 AM in the 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel, located in the Kartalkaya resort about 170 kilometers northwest of Ankara. The hotel, which has wooden cladding, was housing at least 230 people during a two-week school holiday peak period.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as guests desperately tried to escape, with some attempting to lower themselves from windows using ropes made from bedsheets. Media reports suggest some victims died after jumping from the building to avoid the flames.

 

 

 

 

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"I heard screams around midnight... residents were shouting for help," said Baris Salgur, a local hotel worker. "They asked for a blanket, saying they would jump... we did what we could, bringing rope, pillows, and even a sofa. Some people jumped once the flames approached."

The fire is believed to have started in the hotel restaurant and spread quickly, although the cause remains unclear. The building’s location, partially backed by a cliff, made firefighting efforts more challenging. Several ministers have since arrived at the scene, and officials confirmed the fire has been contained.

Local media reported that at least three of the deceased were among those who jumped from the hotel windows. Footage from the scene showed thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains, and the hotel's lobby was left in ruins, with charred furniture and broken glass strewn across the floor.

Photo: @theinformant on X

A survivor who managed to escape the flames told local media that there was no fire alarm when the blaze started, and complained about the lack of safety measures such as fire exits or smoke detectors.

"There were no alarms. There were no fire stairs," the survivor said. "It was chaos."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences for the victims of the fire, saying on X, "I pray to God for mercy upon our citizens who lost their lives in the fire. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured affected by this tragic accident."

An investigation into the incident has been launched, with Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirming that six prosecutors have been assigned to the case. Authorities are concerned that the structure may be at risk of collapsing.

The injured have been relocated to nearby hotels, and efforts to support the affected individuals continue. Authorities have warned the public of possible further fatalities as rescue operations continue.