A catastrophic blaze at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Turkey’s Bolu mountains resulted in the deaths of 66 individuals on Tuesday, forcing numerous terrified guests to jump out of windows in a frantic attempt to flee the fire, reported the news agency Reuters. The event occurred at the Kartalkaya ski resort, a well-known location in northwestern Turkey, where 234 visitors were present at that moment.
The blaze started at approximately 3:30 am on the restaurant floor of the 12-story hotel, swiftly spreading throughout the structure. Witnesses recounted disorder as smoke enveloped the area, and it was reported that the hotel’s fire alarm system did not function.
Visitors fashioned improvised ropes from knotted bedsheets to descend from higher levels, while some jumped from windows to flee the blaze. Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin reported that two individuals lost their lives after jumping out of fear.
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Television clips displayed the hotel’s rooftop and higher levels consumed by fire, featuring scorched wooden panels and a darkened lobby filled with broken glass and charred furniture scattered across the floor.
Ski instructor Necmi Kepcetutan, who fled the blaze, reported that he assisted approximately 20 guests in their evacuation; however, the dense smoke made it extremely difficult for many to locate the fire escapes.
Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu confirmed that 51 individuals were hurt, including one in serious condition. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya conveyed sorrow regarding the fatalities, describing it as a time of profound distress for the country.
Visitors noted considerable delays in the arrival of firefighting crews, with some stating it took almost an hour for assistance to arrive at the location.
