(FreePressBeacon.com) – In a horrifying turn of events, a deadly blaze at a Turkish ski resort left at least 76 dead and 51 injured.
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This tragedy has sparked urgent questions about safety standards in serene vacation spots.
The tragedy unfolded at the Grand Kartal Hotel located in Turkey’s Bolu province on Tuesday.
The fire decimated the 12-story hotel just 300 kilometers east of Istanbul, shattering the calm of its popular ski resort setting.
Starting around 3:30 a.m. local time, the fire originated on the restaurant floor and quickly intensified, forcing guests into desperate measures.
Witnesses describe the scene as apocalyptic, as people leaped from windows trying to escape the engulfing flames.
Smoke-filled corridors and a lack of working alarms exacerbated the chaos, making the evacuation even more nightmarish.
According to guest Atakan Yelkovan, “People on the upper floors were screaming. They threw bedsheets out of the windows; some tried to jump,” cited by The Daily Mail.
The challenges of navigating a fire in such a perilous location posed an enormous challenge for emergency services, with the hotel’s slope location adding difficulty to firefighting efforts.
The sheer number of guests, totaling 238 at the time due to school holidays, only amplified the tragic scale.
Reports suggest that at least two victims died from jumping.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, standing by the community in mourning, expressed deep sorrow.
“Our hearts are broken. We are in mourning,” said Yerlikaya, emphasizing the pursuit of justice for this tragedy.
Turkish ski resort fire kills 76, guests forced to jump from windows https://t.co/FysZkpT4pc pic.twitter.com/EfHNZAihJW
— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) January 22, 2025
Sadly, the hotel’s fire detection systems reportedly failed, contributing to the disaster’s swift escalation.
While the hotel had previously passed fire safety inspections in 2021 and 2024, these lapses underscore the vital need for accountability and reform.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a day of national mourning, vowing a thorough investigation with necessary measures to hold all responsible parties accountable.
Erdogan stated, “All necessary steps will be taken to shed light on all aspects of the incident and to hold those responsible accountable.”
With the cause under investigation, six prosecutors are digging into the details, holding four individuals, including the hotel’s owner, for questioning.
International condolences, including those from EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, show the widespread impact of this tragedy and emphasize the necessity for enhanced safety and transparency in future operations.
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