A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Türkiye’s Bolu mountains has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 66 lives, with many guests forced to leap from windows in a desperate bid to escape. The incident unfolded around 3:30 AM local time, igniting on the restaurant floor of the eleven-story hotel, which was bustling with activity during the school holiday season.
Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu confirmed that approximately 51 individuals sustained injuries as a result of the blaze, which quickly engulfed the building. In the wake of the tragedy, Turkish authorities have detained four individuals, including the hotel owner, as part of a comprehensive investigation led by six prosecutors.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of panic and chaos. Baris Salgur, a guest at the hotel, recounted the frantic scene: “People jumped from windows to escape, including two women on the top floor who urged those on the ground to ready pillows.” Another guest described waking up to the fire without hearing alarms, navigating through smoke-filled corridors before ultimately making the leap from a lower-floor window into the snow below.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that 238 guests were present at the hotel, which sits at the base of several popular ski slopes. By the afternoon, the flames had been extinguished, though the building continued to smolder. “I would like to share this pain, which is impossible to describe,” Yerlikaya expressed, offering condolences to the victims’ families.
Fire crews faced challenges in battling the blaze due to the hotel’s location on a slope, limiting access for firefighting efforts. Reports indicate that it took about 45 minutes for fire crews to arrive after the initial call for help.
As the investigation continues, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the need for rigorous safety measures, particularly in venues accommodating large numbers of guests.
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