Turkish authorities have detained 11 individuals as part of an investigation into a devastating fire at a ski resort in the Bolu mountains that killed 76 people and injured dozens.
Among those detained are a deputy mayor of Bolu province, the head of the municipality’s fire department, and the owner and manager of the Grand Kartal Hotel, where the fire occurred, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced on Wednesday via X (formerly Twitter).
The tragedy unfolded early Tuesday morning at the 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, which had 238 registered guests at the time. The blaze started on the restaurant floor around 3:30 a.m. (0030 GMT) and quickly consumed the building.
Survivors recounted harrowing scenes, including navigating smoke-filled corridors in darkness and jumping from windows to escape. Some claimed no fire alarms were heard during the incident.
“Our hearts and souls are hurting,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a funeral for eight victims from the same family in Bolu. He offered condolences to the grieving families, adding, “I pray for patience for the entire family and our nation.” Erdogan also declared Wednesday a day of national mourning.
Funerals were held across the country, including one in Ankara where the coffins of a doctor, a teacher, and their three children were lined up at the Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque. The family had been on a skiing holiday during a school break. Local media reported that at least 20 of the victims were children.
The bodies of 45 victims have been handed over to their families, while forensic DNA tests are underway to identify the remaining victims. The Grand Kartal Hotel expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
The fire has cast a shadow over Turkey’s winter tourism season, which draws families from major cities like Istanbul and Ankara to the Bolu mountains. As the nation mourns, questions about fire safety and emergency preparedness at the resort are likely to remain at the forefront of the investigation.
Melissa Enoch
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