Turkey makes arrests after ski resort fire that killed 76
The hotel’s safety measures have been criticised as survivors reported they heard no fire alarms during the blaze
22 January 2025 - 15:46
byEce Toksabay and Mert Ozkan
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Firefighters look on, in front of a hotel, following a deadly fire, in the ski resort of Kartalkaya, in Bolu, Turkey, on January 21 2025. Picture: MURAD SEZER/REUTERS
Ankara — Turkey has detained nine people as part of an investigation into a fire that killed 76 people and injured dozens at a ski resort in the Bolu mountains, authorities said.
Several funerals were held on Wednesday for families who died on Tuesday in the blaze, which forced panicked hotel guests to jump from windows in the middle of the night.
“Our hearts and souls are hurting and we are currently trying to fulfil this duty,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at one funeral for eight victims in Bolu in western Turkey.
“I pray for patience for the entire family and our nation.”
The bodies of 45 victims were handed over to their families, while forensic DNA tests were being conducted to identify the others, the government said.
The fire occurred at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, a 12-storey hotel that had 238 registered guests. It was consumed by flames after the blaze started on the restaurant floor at about 3.30am.
Authorities are facing growing criticism over the hotel’s safety measures, as survivors reported they heard no fire alarms during the incident.
Guests said they had to navigate the smoke-filled corridors in complete darkness and other survivors described scenes of panic. The hotel pledged full co-operation with the investigation and said it was “deeply saddened by the losses.”
At one funeral in Ankara, the coffins of a family of five were lined up at the central Ahmet Hamdi Akseki mosque.
The parents, a doctor and teacher, had gone to Kartalkaya with their three children to ski during a midyear school break, according to a Reuters witness at the funeral.
At least 20 of the fire victims were children, according to local media reports.
Erdogan declared Wednesday a day of national mourning following the tragedy, which occurred during the peak of the winter tourism season, with many families from Istanbul and Ankara travelling to the Bolu mountains to ski.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Turkey makes arrests after ski resort fire that killed 76
The hotel’s safety measures have been criticised as survivors reported they heard no fire alarms during the blaze
Ankara — Turkey has detained nine people as part of an investigation into a fire that killed 76 people and injured dozens at a ski resort in the Bolu mountains, authorities said.
Several funerals were held on Wednesday for families who died on Tuesday in the blaze, which forced panicked hotel guests to jump from windows in the middle of the night.
“Our hearts and souls are hurting and we are currently trying to fulfil this duty,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at one funeral for eight victims in Bolu in western Turkey.
“I pray for patience for the entire family and our nation.”
The bodies of 45 victims were handed over to their families, while forensic DNA tests were being conducted to identify the others, the government said.
The fire occurred at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, a 12-storey hotel that had 238 registered guests. It was consumed by flames after the blaze started on the restaurant floor at about 3.30am.
Authorities are facing growing criticism over the hotel’s safety measures, as survivors reported they heard no fire alarms during the incident.
Guests said they had to navigate the smoke-filled corridors in complete darkness and other survivors described scenes of panic. The hotel pledged full co-operation with the investigation and said it was “deeply saddened by the losses.”
At one funeral in Ankara, the coffins of a family of five were lined up at the central Ahmet Hamdi Akseki mosque.
The parents, a doctor and teacher, had gone to Kartalkaya with their three children to ski during a midyear school break, according to a Reuters witness at the funeral.
At least 20 of the fire victims were children, according to local media reports.
Erdogan declared Wednesday a day of national mourning following the tragedy, which occurred during the peak of the winter tourism season, with many families from Istanbul and Ankara travelling to the Bolu mountains to ski.
Reuters
Prince Harry’s court feud with Murdoch papers stalls amid settlement talks
Global finance institutions need to reform, Ramaphosa tells WEF
Fire at popular ski resort in Turkey kills 66
EU ready to work with US, says Von der Leyen
Reeves aims to back UK lenders in vehicle financing case
Interest rate cuts a credibility risk, ECB warned
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
There is window of opportunity for US talks, says Russia
Prince Harry’s court feud with Murdoch papers stalls amid settlement talks
Global finance institutions need to reform, Ramaphosa tells WEF
Fire at popular ski resort in Turkey kills 66
EU ready to work with US, says Von der Leyen
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.