NEWS- The Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared a national day of mourning following the tragic death of 66 people in a devastating hotel fire in Bolu Province.
While speaking after an emergency Cabinet meeting President Tayyip Erdogan announced a one-day national mourning due to the fire in Bolu.
A devastating fire broke out early today Tuesday January 21st 2025 at a hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort in Northern Türkiye, leaving 66 people dead and 51 injured.
The fire broke out at the Resort’s restaurant area, quickly spreading throughout the building and after 10 hours of relentless firefighting efforts, the flames were eventually brought under control, with authorities continuing to cool the affected areas.
The Minister for Health Kemal Memisoglu has told journalists that 17 of the injured, have been discharged, while one remains in intensive care.
The Minister for Interior Affairs, Ali Yerlikaya said that investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, with a team of prosecutors and experts working to determine fault and four people, including the hotel owner, have been detained as part of the probe.
President Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and assured that all necessary steps will be taken to hold those responsible accountable.
The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of condolences from international leaders, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kartalkaya is a popular winter destination in Türkiye, located about 295 kilometers east of the capital City Istanbul and the 12-story hotel lies at a popular Ski Resort in Northwestern Turkey.
The Minister said that the hotel had 238 registered guests at the time the fire broke out and the government has since appointed six prosecutors to lead an investigation into the blaze, which is believed to have started in the hotel’s restaurant section.
Eye witness said that at least two of the victims died after jumping from the building in a panic some people tried to climb down from their rooms using sheets and blankets.
Necmi Kepcetutan, a ski instructor at the hotel, said he was asleep when the fire erupted and he rushed out of the building and then helped some 20 guests out of the hotel which was engulfed in smoke, making it difficult for guests to locate the fire escape route.
Additional Reporting from Associated Press.
