Death toll in Türkiye's Kartalkaya ski resort fire rises to 79 UPDATED

The death toll from the fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel, located at the Turkish ski resort in the Bolu province, has increased to 79, following the results of DNA tests.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the blaze, which broke out at the popular winter destination, as efforts to identify and assist the victims continue, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

19:55

Another two arrests have been made by Turkish law enforcement in connection to the fire at the Kartalkaya ski resort in the Bolu province, raising the number of detained individuals to 11. 

According to a statement by Türkiye's Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc made on January 22, among those detained are the Deputy Mayor of Bolu responsible for the fire department, Sedat Gülener, and the Deputy Chief of the City Fire Department, Kenan Coşkun. As Caliber.Az reports, a number of ski resort's executives as well as the hotel's general manager have also been detained. 

17:05

Türkiye has arrested nine individuals in connection with the deadly fire at a ski resort hotel that claimed the lives of 76 people on January 21.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the arrests later, which include the hotel’s owner, amid growing concerns over the adequacy of safety measures, Caliber.Az reports referring to international media sources.

The government has assigned six prosecutors to lead an investigation into the blaze, which is believed to have originated in the restaurant area of the 12-storey Grand Kartal Hotel, located at the Kartalkaya ski resort in the Bolu Mountains.

Authorities are facing mounting criticism as witnesses and reports have indicated that the hotel’s fire detection system failed to activate. Survivors, among the 238 registered guests, reported that no fire alarms sounded during the incident, forcing them to navigate smoke-filled corridors in total darkness.

Guests described scenes of panic as they fled, with some even jumping from windows to escape the flames.

Minister Yerlikaya stated that the bodies of 45 victims had been handed over to their families, while DNA tests are being conducted to identify the remaining bodies.

“Our hearts are broken. We are in mourning,” the minister said to reporters outside the hotel. “But know this: whoever is responsible for causing this pain will not escape justice.”

The hotel expressed deep condolences and pledged full cooperation with the investigation.

“We are cooperating with authorities to shed light on all aspects of this incident,” the hotel said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the losses and share this pain with all our hearts.”

Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a day of national mourning on January 22. The tragedy occurred at the height of the winter tourism season.

Kartalkaya, located about 295km (183 miles) east of Istanbul, is one of Türkiye’s premier ski destinations, drawing thousands of visitors each winter.

By Tamilla Hasanova