Tragic Hotel Fire in Turkey's Kartalkaya Ski Resort Claims Ten Lives
A devastating fire broke out in the early hours of Tuesday at the Grand Kartal Hotel, situated within the renowned Kartalkaya ski resort in northwestern Turkey. This tragic incident resulted in the loss of ten lives and left 32 others injured, as confirmed by the country's interior minister.
The inferno erupted around 3:27 a.m. local time in the 12-storey hotel, which features wooden cladding. Reports indicate that the fire may have originated in the hotel's restaurant shortly after midnight, although the exact cause remains undetermined. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene as the flames rapidly spread throughout the building.
According to private broadcaster NTV, several individuals tragically lost their lives after attempting to escape by jumping from the windows of the hotel. The Grand Kartal Hotel, which was hosting approximately 237 guests at the time, had a high occupancy rate due to the ongoing school holidays, with estimates ranging from 80 to 90 percent.
Television footage captured during the incident showed large plumes of smoke billowing into the sky, silhouetted against the backdrop of a snow-covered mountain. The geographical layout of the resort, which includes steep cliffs adjacent to parts of the building, complicated firefighting efforts.
Emergency crews worked diligently to evacuate guests, with those displaced being relocated to nearby accommodations. The Turkish Minister of Justice, Yilmaz Tunc, announced that six prosecutors have been assigned to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire.
In response to the tragedy, high-ranking officials, including the ministers of health, interior, and culture, are expected to visit the site later today to oversee the situation and offer support to the affected families.
This incident has raised serious concerns regarding safety regulations in hotels, particularly those in tourist-heavy areas. As investigations continue, the authorities are likely to scrutinize the hotel's adherence to fire safety standards to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
