Fire at Kartalkaya ski resort sparks investigation, Turkish ministers respond UPDATED

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Vedat Işıkhan, and AFAD (Türkiye Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) head Okay Memiş have travelled to Bolu’s Kartalkaya ski resort following a fire at a hotel in the area.

According to TRT Haber, the emergency response included 85 vehicles, with 30 fire engines and 28 ambulances dispatched by state institutions and agencies from Bolu and neighbouring provinces, per Caliber.Az.

TRT Haber, #Bolu'da yanan otelin son halini havadan görüntüledi. pic.twitter.com/6BmU7t6cki

— TRT HABER (@trthaber) January 21, 2025

Labour and Social Welfare Minister Vedat Işıkhan confirmed that an investigation into the fire is underway.

"Four chief inspectors have been appointed to investigate the tragic incident. Our inspectors will carry out the necessary investigations. We are closely monitoring the process," he stated.

10:39

The death toll from the fire at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort has increased to 10 people, Caliber.Az reports.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared the update on social media platform X, stating, “At 03:27 today, we received reports of a fire at a hotel in Kartalkaya. A total of 267 personnel from various state institutions and organizations are involved in firefighting efforts. Unfortunately, the death toll has now reached 10, and the number of injured has increased to 32.”

Bugün saat 03:27’de Kartalkaya Kayak Merkezinde bulunan bir otelde yangın çıktığı ihbarı alınmış, yangına çeşitli kamu kurum ve kuruluşlarından 267 personelle müdahale edilmiş ve müdahaleye devam edilmektedir.

İlk belirlemelere göre maalesef 6 vatandaşımız hayatını kaybetmiş,…

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) January 21, 2025

9:46

Six people have died and 31 others have been injured in a fire at a hotel located in the ski resort of Kartalkaya in Türkiye's Bolu province. 

According to TRT Haber, the fire occurred in the hotel, where 234 guests were staying, per Caliber.Az.

A fire broke out in one of the rooms, which later engulfed the whole building. As a result, all holidaymakers were evacuated to other hotels.

Firefighters rescued five people. Three of them received burns to the body and two more suffered carbon monoxide poisoning. They were taken to nearby hospitals. Police have detained two hotel managers. An investigation has been launched. 

“6 vatandaşımız hayatını kaybetti. 31 yaralımızdan 26'sının durumu orta seviyede, 2'sinin durumu ağır.”

Bolu Valisi Abdulaziz Aydın: Kartalkaya Kayak Merkezi'ndeki otel yangını büyük oranda kontrol altına alındı. Cumhuriyet Başsavcısı da işlemlere başladı. pic.twitter.com/EQCuv0AUHZ

— TRT Haber Canlı (@trthabercanli) January 21, 2025

"Right now we have six dead and 31 injured. The condition of 26 of the 31 injured is average, two of them are in serious condition. Two died as a result of falling from height," Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydın said.  

Nestled in the heart of northwestern Türkiye, Kartalkaya is a ski resort that attracts winter sports enthusiasts year-round. Situated in Bolu province, the resort is part of the Köroğlu mountain range, a region renowned for its dramatic landscapes. Bolu itself lies along the North Anatolian Rift, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and geological wonder, with the Black Sea just to the north.

At the pinnacle of the Köroğlu range stands Köröğlu Tepesi, soaring to an impressive 2,499 meters above sea level. 

By Tamilla Hasanova