Almost 70 people killed in Turkish hotel fire — interior minister

Department of Research, Studies and International News 21-01-2025

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 66 people were killed in a fire that broke out in the Grand Kartal Hotel in Turkey’s Kartalkaya ski resort in the mountainous Bolu Province.

“Regrettably, 66 people were killed and 51 injured in the fire. In all, 238 guests were staying at the hotel when the fire broke out,” the minister told reporters at the scene.

Previous reports said ten people were killed and 32 wounded. According to Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu, some of them have already been discharged from hospitals.

“Out of the 51 injured, one person is in serious condition in intensive care. 17 patients have already been discharged. The rest continue their treatment, and their condition is good,” the minister said.

Yerlikaya went on to say that firefighting crews responded promptly to the alert, and started putting out the fire at 4:15 a.m. local time (1:15 a.m. GMT).

“Since the rear side of the hotel overlooks a mountain slope, firefighting efforts were possible only from the fa·ade and the sides. An investigative team has been tasked with looking into causes and circumstances of the tragedy. A thorough investigation has already begun. All permits and documents, related to the hotel and its operations, will be thoroughly examined,” Yerlikaya said.

Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, in turn, said “the hotel had obtained all fire safety certificates,” and “no fire safety violations have been uncovered so far.”