Türkiye detains fourteen people over deadly ski resort fire

Fourteen individuals have been detained in connection with a fire that broke out at a ski resort in Kartalkaya, Türkiye, on the night of January 21.

Two more people were arrested as part of the ongoing investigation, bringing the total number of detainees to 14, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

The blaze, which tragically occurred during the peak winter season, left 79 people trapped and more than 50 others injured.

Emergency services swiftly responded to the fire, rescuing the victims and providing medical treatment to the injured. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire and are taking measures to determine the responsible parties.

The fire has shocked the local community and tourists, raising concerns about safety protocols at ski resorts in the region.

The fire, which occurred on the night of January 21, broke out in the restaurant area of the 12-story wooden hotel. The flames rapidly spread throughout the structure. According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, emergency services arrived at the scene within 40-45 minutes, but the fire proved difficult to contain.

Of the 238 guests staying at the hotel that night, 79 lost their lives and 51 sustained injuries. Some individuals attempted to escape by jumping out of windows in desperation. The disaster left a profound impact across the nation.

Turkish authorities have assigned six prosecutors to investigate the cause of the fire, which appeared to have started at the restaurant section on the fourth floor of the wooden-clad hotel and spread quickly through to the upper floors.

By Vafa Guliyeva