At least 66 people have died and dozens more have been taken to hospital after a fire broke out in the early hours of this morning at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in Turkey's northwestern Bolus province.
The fire reportedly started in the hotel's restaurant and spread throughout the 12-story building due to its wooden exterior.
The incident occurred at around 3:30 a.m., when most of the holidaymakers were asleep, making the situation even more difficult, Turkish media reported. According to the regional governor, Abdulaziz Aydin, there were 234 guests staying at the hotel.
Kartalkaya Kayak Merkezi'ndeki bir otelde yangın çıkı.
— GazeteVar (@gazetevar) January 21, 2025
İtfaiye ekiplerinın ındırışi sürerken ölü ve yaralılar tılı tışımın. pic.twitter.com/KZ1HhTXjom
Cellphone videos captured shocking scenes, with visitors tying sheets to climb out of windows, while others screamed for help. Two of the victims were killed after jumping from the building in panic, the governor said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was informed of the incident and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tundes announced the opening of an investigation into the fire, appointing six prosecutors and a team of five experts.