At least 76 people have died in a devastating fire at the Kartalkaya ski resort in northwestern Turkey, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed on Tuesday. Nine individuals, including the hotel owner, have been detained in connection with the incident.
Yerlikaya said that search and rescue operations at the site have been completed. “Our teams have finalized their search efforts, and investigations are ongoing,” he stated.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a national day of mourning on Wednesday, offering condolences to the victims’ families. He also vowed that those responsible for the disaster would be held accountable. “Those who have negligence and fault will be held accountable before the law,” Erdogan said.
Also Read: Trump Advocates Expanding H-1B Visa Categories To Include More Talent
The fire broke out at 3:27 AM local time in the 12-storey wooden hotel, which was housing 238 guests during the busy holiday season. Initial reports suggest the fire started in the restaurant area on the fourth floor before spreading upwards.
Authorities evacuated around 230 guests from the hotel. Firefighters, search-and-rescue teams, and medical units were dispatched from nearby areas to help control the blaze.
A judicial investigation has been launched, with six public prosecutors assigned and an expert committee formed, according to Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc.
Kartalkaya, a popular ski resort located in the Koroglu mountains, is about 300 km east of Istanbul. The resort has been a top destination for Turkish skiers since 1978, offering direct access to 23 slopes.
Bolu, the nearest city, is situated between Istanbul and Ankara, around 38 km from the resort.
Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, visited Puri in Odisha during the annual Rath…
Acharya Pramod Krishnam, stirred political debate by claiming an 'internal emergency' still exists within the…
Taking a crucial step toward positive transformation, social reform, and global peace, the Muslim Rashtriya…
India has been chosen to host the prestigious 2029 World Police and Fire Games in…
Gautam Adani, along with his wife and Karan, participated in the Rath Yatra in Puri,…
PM Narendra Modi interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach the…