51 others injured from blaze that broke out in middle of the night in hotel restaurant area
A fire at a ski resort in northern Türkiye killed at least 66 people and injured 51 others, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Tuesday.
Of the injured, 17 were discharged from hospital while one remains in intensive care, Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said.
The fire broke out at around 3.30 a.m. local time (0027GMT) in the restaurant area of the Kartalkaya ski resort hotel, quickly engulfing the building, according to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin.
It was brought under control after 10 hours of work by firefighters, authorities told Anadolu, while efforts to cool down the affected areas continue.
Emergency teams from neighboring cities, including firefighters, disaster response units, and medical teams supported by helicopters, were dispatched to the scene.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said an investigation into the incident was launched by a team of six prosecutors, along with a five-member expert committee.
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, speaking at a press conference, said the necessary documentation and checks were in place against a fire hazard. “The hotel has a certificate of fire safety issued by the fire department. This is already a mandate of the fire brigade. Regular checks have to be carried out by the fire brigade,” he added.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on X that he was keeping a close eye on events, and noted: "I wish Allah's mercy to our citizens who lost their lives ... and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.”
Later, speaking at a meeting of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Ankara, Erdogan said: "All necessary steps will and are being taken to clarify all aspects of the incident and hold those responsible to account."
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in a message on X, extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed sadness over the incident. "I extend my heartfelt condolences to my dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish nation, especially, the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this accident & pray for the swift recovery of the injured," he wrote on X.
Hadja Lahbib, the EU commissioner for equality, preparedness, and crisis management, who is currently on an official visit to Türkiye, also expressed her "deepest condolences" to Türkiye and to the families of the victims. "The EU stands in solidarity & offers support through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism," she said on X.
Kartalkaya in Bolu is one of Türkiye's premier winter tourism destinations, attracting thousands of visitors during the ski season. The resort lies around 295 kilometers (183 miles) east of Istanbul.
