The tragic fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in Turkey has claimed the lives of 79 people, including at least 20 children, with dozens injured. As investigations continue, 11 individuals, including a deputy mayor, the head of the municipality’s fire department, the hotel owner, and its manager, have been detained, according to Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç.
Details of the Tragedy
The fire broke out on Jan. 21 at around 3:30 a.m. on the restaurant floor of the 12-story hotel, which housed 238 registered guests. Survivors reported a lack of fire alarms and had to navigate smoke-filled corridors in darkness. The blaze forced some panicked guests to jump from windows to escape.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya initially announced 76 fatalities, but forensic DNA tests later confirmed 79 deaths. The bodies of 45 victims have been handed over to their families, while efforts to identify the remaining victims continue.
National Mourning and Funerals
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a day of national mourning in the wake of the disaster. He attended funerals for multiple victims, including eight members of the same family, stating, “Our hearts and souls are hurting.”
Funerals were held across Turkey, including for a family of five—a doctor, a teacher, and their three children—who had gone to the resort during a school break. In Istanbul and Ankara, grief-stricken relatives carried coffins as the nation mourned the devastating loss.
Investigation and Allegations
Authorities are investigating allegations of negligence. Survivors noted that no fire alarms were activated during the incident, raising concerns about safety measures at the hotel. The Grand Kartal Hotel expressed its condolences and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.
The fire occurred during the height of the winter tourism season, with many families from Istanbul and Ankara visiting the Bolu mountains to ski. This tragic event has cast a shadow over the region’s popular winter sports industry, prompting calls for stricter safety regulations.