Ankara, Turkey — A massive fire engulfed a 12-story hotel at a popular ski resort in northwestern Turkey early Tuesday during a busy school holiday, claiming the lives of at least 66 people—two of whom tragically jumped from the building in a desperate attempt to escape the flames, officials reported.
The fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, located in Bolu province’s Koroglu Mountains, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) east of Istanbul. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that 51 people were injured, with one in critical condition and 17 others treated and discharged. The incident occurred just as schools began a two-week winter break, a time when the region’s hotels are typically at full capacity.
“We are deeply saddened. We have lost 66 lives in this tragic fire,” Yerlikaya stated while addressing reporters at the scene.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes inside the hotel. Atakan Yelkovan, a guest staying on the third floor, recounted the panic on the upper floors as people attempted to escape by tying sheets and blankets together to climb down.
“People were screaming from the upper floors. They hung down sheets… some even tried to jump,” Yelkovan told the IHA news agency.
Authorities said the fire started at approximately 3:27 a.m., and firefighting teams arrived at 4:15 a.m. The delay in response and the apparent failure of the hotel’s fire detection system have raised concerns.
“My wife smelled the smoke, but the alarm never went off,” Yelkovan added. “We tried to go upstairs but couldn’t because of the flames, so we rushed outside.”
Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin confirmed that at least two victims died after jumping from the burning building. The government has launched an investigation, appointing six prosecutors to examine the cause of the fire, which is suspected to have originated in the hotel’s restaurant. Four individuals, including the hotel owner, have been taken into custody for questioning.
Necmi Kepcetutan, a ski instructor at the hotel, said he was asleep when the fire started and immediately evacuated the building, helping around 20 guests escape.
“The hotel was filled with smoke, making it hard to find the fire exits,” he said, adding that he was still trying to reach some of his students.
Television footage showed the hotel’s roof and upper floors engulfed in flames, with charred interiors and shattered windows. Reports suggest that the wooden cladding on the hotel’s exterior, designed in a chalet style, may have fueled the rapid spread of the fire.
Fire crews faced significant challenges in battling the blaze due to the hotel’s cliffside location, which limited access to certain parts of the building. Interior Minister Yerlikaya confirmed that firefighters were only able to tackle the fire from the front and sides.
Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated that the hotel had undergone safety inspections in 2021 and 2024, with no reported fire hazards at the time.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences, saying, “Unfortunately, we received tragic news this morning from Kartalkaya. We will take all necessary steps to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable.”
In response to the tragedy, neighboring hotels were evacuated as a precaution, and displaced guests were relocated to nearby accommodations in Bolu.
Adding to the day’s tragedies, a separate gas explosion at another ski resort in central Turkey injured four people. The explosion occurred at the Yildiz Mountain Winter Sports Center in Sivas province, injuring two skiers and their instructor, while another instructor sustained second-degree burns.
Rescue efforts continue, and authorities have pledged a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the hotel fire and prevent similar incidents in the future.
