Tragic Fire at Turkish Ski Resort Claims Lives of 10, Leaving Many Injured
A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal hotel in Kartalkaya, a popular ski resort in northwestern Turkey, has resulted in the deaths of at least 10 individuals, with 32 others hospitalized. The catastrophic event began around 3:30 AM in the hotel's restaurant, as confirmed by officials and various reports. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
In a frantic attempt to escape the flames, two victims reportedly died after jumping from the building, as stated by the Bolu governor, Abdulaziz Aydin, in a report to the state-run Anadolu Agency. Eyewitness accounts revealed that some guests tried to descend from their rooms using sheets and blankets, highlighting the panic that engulfed the establishment during the disaster.
At the time of the incident, the hotel was hosting 234 guests. Necmi Kepcetutan, a ski instructor at Grand Kartal, recounted the terrifying experience. While asleep when the fire erupted, he quickly evacuated and assisted approximately 20 guests in escaping. He described the hotel as being filled with smoke, making it challenging for guests to find the fire escape. "I cannot reach some of my students. I hope they are OK," he shared with NTV television, reflecting on the uncertainty and fear of missing individuals.
Television footage captured the extent of the destruction, showing flames engulfing the roof and upper floors of the 12-story hotel. The wooden cladding on the exterior, designed in a chalet-style, could have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, according to reports.
In response to the tragedy, the government has assigned six prosecutors to investigate the incident thoroughly. The hotel, which features 161 rooms, is situated on the edge of a cliff, complicating firefighting efforts as flames advanced. Images from the scene revealed a lobby filled with smoke, shattered glass, and a charred reception desk amidst the wreckage.
The fire occurred during the school holidays, a peak time for skiing and tourism in the region, which is approximately 300 kilometers (185 miles) east of Istanbul. Following the disaster, Aydin's office dispatched around 30 fire trucks and 28 ambulances to manage the crisis. As a precautionary measure, other hotels in the vicinity were evacuated, with guests relocated to alternate accommodations throughout Bolu.
In a related incident, a natural gas explosion at the Yıldız Mountain Winter Sports Center in Sivas province injured four people, including two skiers and their instructor, with one instructor suffering second-degree burns on their hands and face. Both tragic events have raised concerns regarding safety measures in hotels and winter sports facilities, particularly during busy holiday periods.
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