A fire at a 12-story hotel at a popular ski resort in northwestern Turkey has fatally wounded at least 66 people. The fire occured during the schools’ semester break, when hotels in the region are experiencing their busiest season.

At least 51 other people were injured in the fire that occurred in the Grand Kartal hotel in the resort of Kartalkaya, in Bolu’s province’s Koroglu mountains, around 300 kilometres east of Instanbul. At least one of the injured was in serious condition, while 17 other people had been discharged after being treated.

30 fire trucks and 28 ambulances were sent to the site as other hotels at the resort were evacuated as a precaution and guests were placed in hotels around Bolu.

Minister of the Interior, Ali Yerlikaya’s statement

Turkey’s Minister of the Interior, Ali Yerlikaya spoke about the incident: “We are in deep pain. The hotel had 238 registered guests. The fire was reported at 3:27am and the fire department began to respond at 4:15am.”

The government appointed six prosecutors to lead an investigation into the blaze, which is believed to have started in the hotel’s restaurant section.

Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin told the state-run Anadolu Agency earlier that at least two of the victims died after jumping from the building in a panic. Private NTV television and other media reported that some people tried to climb down from their rooms using sheets and blankets.

Ski Instructor, Grand Kartal hotel, Necmi Kepcetutan’s statement

Necmi Kepcetutan, a ski instructor at the hotel, said he was asleep when the fire erupted and he rushed out of the building. He told NTV television that he then helped some 20 guests out of the hotel.

Kepcetutan told the station: “The hotel was engulfed in smoke, making it difficult for guests to locate the fire escape. I cannot reach some of my students. I hope they are OK.”

Television images showed the roof and top floors of the hotel on fire, while witnesses and reports suggested that the hotel’s fire detection system failed to operate.

NTV television suggested that the wooden cladding on the exterior of the hotel, in a chalet-style design, may have accelerated the spread of the fire.

Part of the 161-room hotel is on the side of a cliff, prohibiting efforts to combat the flames as intervention could only be made from the front and sides.

Guest, Grand Kartal hotel, Atakan Yelkovan’s statement

Atakan Yelkovan, a guest staying on the third floor, told the IHA news agency that: “My wife smelled the burning. The alarm did not go off. We tried to go upstairs but couldn’t, there were flames.

“We went downstairs and came here (outside). It took about an hour for the firefighting teams to arrive. People on the upper floors were screaming. They hung down sheets… Some tried to jump.”

Tourism Minister, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy’s statement

Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy told reporters that the hotel underwent inspections in 2021 and 2024, saying: “No negative situation regarding fire competence was reported by the fire department.”

President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement

In an address in Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: “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.

“All necessary steps will be taken to shed light on all aspects of the incident and to hold those responsible accountable.”

Fire at hotel in Turkish ski resort takes 66 lives: Summary

A fire in a busy Turkish ski resort has fatally wounded at least 66 people and injured at least 51. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shared his hurt at the news, referring to those lost as our brothers and sisters.

He has confirmed that every step will be taken to find out the cause of the hotel fire.