A tragic fire outbreak occurred at a ski resort hotel in northwestern Turkey in the early hours of Tuesday and killed at least 10 people while injuring 32 others, according to the Interior Minister of the country.
It erupted at a hotel inside the Kartalkaya ski resort, located in Bolu province-the winter resort favourite. The incident was reported about 3:27 a.m. local time, according to an Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, in a statement shared on X.
Among ski resorts and lively winter tourism, Kartalkaya is most famous for its scenic slopes, attracting as many visitors, especially during the peak holiday period from schools in January until the beginning of February.
The Governor, Abdulaziz Aydin, has informed the state-run Anadolu Agency that when this happened, 234 guests were staying in the hotel. Two casualties had been recorded, it is reported, and both fell while trying to jump out of the building out of fear, according to Aydin.
The operation against the fire has involved 267 personnel on the ground trying to manage the flames as soon as possible to ensure the casualties receive necessary attention.
Social media has posted videos and Turkish television stations portrayed as being engulfed in flames the upper floors of the hotel. There were scenes of some guests trying to escape by hanging bed sheets together and climbing down from the building.
According to official sources, the Interior, Tourism, and Health Ministers of Turkey are on their way to the Kartalkaya resort to review the situation and are expected to have a press briefing later today.
The Kartalkaya tragedy brings into focus the need for fire safety at tourist destinations, particularly in peak seasons. This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly.
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