A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Turkey’s ski resort of Kartalkaya has claimed the lives of at least 66 people, with over 200 guests present at the time of the blaze.
The fire started on Tuesday, January 21, at around 3:30 a.m. local time and spread rapidly due to freezing weather conditions, which delayed fire engine arrival by over an hour. Authorities have confirmed that 51 people were injured in the disaster, with one person in serious condition.
Guests attempted to escape through windows as flames engulfed the hotel’s fourth floor, where the blaze originated. At least two victims died after jumping from the building in a state of panic.
A judicial investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire. The Turkish government has offered condolences to families affected by the disaster and vowed to take necessary steps to hold those responsible accountable.
The hotel had recently undergone inspections in 2021 and 2024, with no reported safety concerns regarding fire competence. However, officials are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Source: https://people.com/66-people-killed-hotel-fire-popular-ski-resort-reports-8777598