Tragic Hotel Fire Claims 76 Lives During Ski Season in Turkey
A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Türkiye's Kartalkaya ski resort has left at least 76 people dead and many more injured. The tragic incident occurred early on January 21, around 3:30 AM local time, while families and travelers were enjoying the winter holidays. As the fire broke out, dense clouds of smoke engulfed the hotel, creating chaos and panic among the guests.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the increase in fatalities from an earlier report of 66. He stated that 52 of the victims have been identified, and forensic teams are working to ascertain the identities of the others. The anguish felt by the nation is profound, as expressed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who declared a national day of mourning and pledged that those responsible would be held accountable.
Tourism Minister Nuri Ersoy informed the public that the hotel had two fire escapes and had passed a fire inspection in 2024. However, survivors and eyewitness accounts painted a grim picture of inadequate safety measures, with many claiming there were no functional fire alarms, smoke detectors, or proper evacuation routes in place.
Desperate scenes unfolded as guests attempted to flee the flames. Witnesses recounted harrowing moments of people jumping from windows and trying to fashion makeshift ropes from bedsheets to escape the inferno. "People on the upper floors were screaming for help," said Atakan Yelkovan, who escaped with his wife. He saw others trying to bring their children to safety in increasingly perilous situations.
A shaken hotel employee reported seeing a father with a baby begging for pillows to facilitate a jump, leading to a frantic rescue by emergency services that eventually saved him and his child. Unfortunately, for others, the situation ended tragically. Eyewitness accounts confirmed that two women who leaped from the top floor did not survive.
Survivors narrated their experiences of navigating through thick black smoke. Eylem Senturk recounted how she and her daughter escaped while her husband was left trapped and had to leap from the window onto a ledge below, narrowly avoiding severe injury.
As Turkey faces this national tragedy during peak ski season, the hotel, which is situated 2000 meters above sea level, was nearly at full capacity with 238 guests. Aside from the deceased, Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu reported that 51 individuals sustained injuries, with 34 still hospitalized, one in critical condition.
Investigations are underway as police have detained nine suspects, including the hotel's owner, to explore potential negligence and determine what led to the fire's rapid spread, suspected to have started in the hotel's restaurant. Among the victims was a journalist who worked for the Sozcu newspaper, who lost his life along with his wife and two adult children.
As the nation mourns, condolences have poured in from global leaders, including EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others. As the smoke clears, Turkey is left to grapple with the heartbreaking loss and the call for accountability in ensuring the safety of its citizens and visitors.
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