A devastating fire engulfed the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu’s Kartalkaya Ski Center, Turkey, early Tuesday morning, claiming the lives of at least 76 people and injuring 51 others. Wooden-clad 12-story hotel, popular among holidaymakers, was hosting 234 guests during the busy school holiday season when the blaze broke out.
Tragedy has shocked the nation, prompting a day of mourning and vows of accountability from government officials.
Incident
the fire reportedly began in the hotel’s restaurant area on the fourth floor at 03:27 local time (00:27 GMT) and quickly spread to the upper floors. With freezing weather conditions and the hotel’s remote location, it took over an hour for fire engines to reach the site, and it took 12 hours to bring the flames under control.
Footage from the scene showed guests using bedsheets and linens as makeshift ropes to escape a burning building. Some resorted to jumping out of windows in desperation, resulting in at least two fatalities.
Ski instructor Necmi Kepcetutan, who was on the second floor when the fire broke out, managed to escape through the ski room and joined rescue efforts. “Family that owned hotel was present during the fire. I saw some of me outside,” he said.
Victims and Survivors
identities of all victims have not been confirmed, but among the deceased are prominent individuals and families, including 10-year-old swimmer Vedia Nil Apak and her mor, Ferda. Notable victims include journalist Nedim Turkmen and his family, as well as Prof. Atakan Yalcin, dean of Ozyegin University Business School.
The health ministry reported that one of the injured remains in intensive care, while 17 have been discharged.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
Nine individuals, including the hotel’s owner, have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that prosecutors had been assigned to determine the cause of the fire.
Initial findings suggest that the hotel, last inspected in 2024, lacked essential fire safety measures. Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) revealed that the hotel did not have an automatic sprinkler system mandated since 2008. Survivors also reported that detection and warning systems were non-functional, and escape routes were unclear.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that the hotel had two fire escapes and noted that staff managed to evacuate 30-35 people.
National Mourning and Accountability
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a day of national mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast until sunset on Wednesday. He promised accountability for any negligence contributing to the disaster.
“This tragic loss of life is unacceptable,” Erdogan stated, adding that those responsible would face justice.
A Popular Destination in Mourning
Bolu mountains, nestled between Istanbul and Ankara, are a favored skiing destination, particularly during school holidays. Grand Kartal Hotel, operating at high capacity during a fire, was a cornerstone of the region’s tourism.
Sir Peter Westmacott, former UK ambassador to Turkey, expressed his condolences, calling the incident “devastating news for those of us who care about Turkey.”
Looking Ahead
disaster has raised serious questions about fire safety standards and regulations in Turkish hospitality. As the nation grieves, calls for stricter enforcement of safety measures grow louder.
For families affected, the road to healing will be long, marked by grief and a search for justice.
