Türkiye's Kartalkaya ski resort inferno claims 66 lives, investigation underway VIDEO

A devastating fire at a 12-story hotel in the popular Kartalkaya ski resort in northwestern Türkiye has claimed the lives of at least 66 people, with 51 others injured, according to Türkiye’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

“We are in deep pain. We have unfortunately lost 66 lives in the fire that broke out at this hotel,” Yerlikaya told reporters after inspecting the site, Caliber.Az reports.

Bolu’da meydana gelen yangına ilişkin basın açıklamamızı gerçekleştiriyoruz.
📍Bolu #CanlıYayın
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— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) January 21, 2025

The tragedy occurred early on January 21 at the Grand Kartal Hotel in the Köroğlu mountains of Bolu province, around 300 kilometres (185 miles) east of Istanbul. The fire happened during the school’s semester break, a time when the region’s hotels are typically full.

Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu confirmed that one of the injured is in serious condition, while 17 others have been discharged after receiving treatment. The fire broke out at approximately 3:30 a.m. local time in the hotel's restaurant section, and authorities have appointed six prosecutors to lead the investigation into the incident.

Governor Abdulaziz Aydın revealed that at least two victims died after jumping from the building in panic. He also mentioned that some guests tried to escape by climbing down using sheets and blankets. A total of 234 guests were staying at the hotel at the time.

Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy assured reporters that the hotel had undergone inspections in 2021 and 2024, and the fire department had reported no issues regarding fire safety.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his condolences, saying, “Unfortunately, we received very sad news this morning from Bolu, Kartalkaya. Our brothers and sisters were killed and injured in a fire that broke out in a hotel.” He added, “All necessary steps will be taken to shed light on all aspects of the incident and to hold those responsible accountable.”

Footage from NTV showed a smoke-filled lobby with shattered glass, a charred reception desk, and a chandelier that had fallen to the ground.

A total of 30 fire trucks and 28 ambulances were dispatched to the scene. Other hotels in the resort were evacuated as a precaution, and guests were relocated to nearby hotels.

In a separate incident, a gas explosion at a hotel in a ski resort in central Türkiye injured four people. The explosion occurred at the Yıldız Mountain Winter Sports Center in Sivas province. Two skiers and their instructor were slightly injured, while another instructor sustained second-degree burns to his hands and face, according to the Sivas governor’s office.

By Tamilla Hasanova