Investigation underway into possible Azerbaijani casualties in Kartalkaya resort fire

An investigation is currently underway to determine if any Azerbaijani citizens were among the victims of a deadly fire that broke out at the Kartalkaya ski resort in Türkiye's Bolu province.

According to Aykhan Hajizada, spokesman for Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, authorities are working to confirm whether Azerbaijani nationals were among the dead or injured in the incident, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

The fire erupted in the early hours of the morning on the fourth floor of a hotel located at the popular Kartalkaya ski resort. Local authorities reported that the blaze began around 03:30 AM local time, on the floor housing the hotel's restaurant. The fire quickly spread, prompting a large-scale emergency response with thirty fire engines and twenty-eight ambulances dispatched to the scene.

The tragic incident has claimed the lives of at least ten individuals, while thirty-two others have sustained injuries. The hotel was occupied by 234 guests at the time of the fire, and efforts to evacuate and assist those affected have been ongoing.

Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin stated that the cause of the fire remains under investigation, although he speculated that the fire likely originated in the area surrounding the hotel’s restaurant. Authorities are conducting a thorough probe to uncover the exact circumstances leading to the blaze.

As of now, no official confirmation has been made regarding the involvement of Azerbaijani citizens in the incident, and further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

By Vafa Guliyeva