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Monday, Feb 23, 2026
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Devastating Fire Claims 76 Lives at Turkish Ski Resort Hotel
A catastrophic blaze in Turkey's Bolu mountains leaves 76 dead and 51 injured as investigation into the cause continues.
A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, Bolu province, Turkey, has resulted in the deaths of at least 76 people and injuries to an additional 51, according to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
The fire broke out at approximately 3:30 AM on Tuesday, originating in the restaurant area of the 12-story hotel, which is situated in the popular Koroglu mountain ski resort.
In response to the tragedy, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a national day of mourning and announced that flags across the nation would be flown at half-mast.
The incident occurred during the region's peak tourism season, coinciding with school holidays, which contributed to the high occupancy rate at the hotel, reported at 238 guests.
Eyewitness accounts describe panic among guests as they attempted to escape the inferno, with some resorting to jumping from windows or using bed sheets to descend the building's facade.
Tragedy struck as two individuals jumped to their deaths amidst the chaos.
Necmi Kepcetutan, a ski instructor residing at the hotel, described the smoke-filled environment as guests navigated corridors to find safety.
The fire triggered an extensive emergency response, involving 30 fire engines and 28 ambulances, as rescue efforts were impeded by the building's cliffside location.
The fire also reportedly spread rapidly due in part to the hotel's wooden chalet-style exterior.
Authorities have detained nine individuals, including the hotel owner, as part of an ongoing investigation led by six appointed prosecutors.
This investigation aims to uncover the cause of the fire, which is still undetermined.
Preliminary reports by local media suggest that the building's architectural design may have exacerbated the fire's swift progression.
In the broader context of safety, the Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy had noted that the Grand Kartal passed a fire safety inspection in the previous year.
Nevertheless, this tragic incident has brought renewed scrutiny upon fire safety measures at tourist accommodations across Turkey.
Meanwhile, a separate gas explosion occurred at the Yildiz Mountain Winter Sports Center in Sivas province, central Turkey, injuring four individuals.
The incidents, occurring around the same time, underscore the critical nature of safety precautions in such high-density tourist facilities.
The fire broke out at approximately 3:30 AM on Tuesday, originating in the restaurant area of the 12-story hotel, which is situated in the popular Koroglu mountain ski resort.
In response to the tragedy, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a national day of mourning and announced that flags across the nation would be flown at half-mast.
The incident occurred during the region's peak tourism season, coinciding with school holidays, which contributed to the high occupancy rate at the hotel, reported at 238 guests.
Eyewitness accounts describe panic among guests as they attempted to escape the inferno, with some resorting to jumping from windows or using bed sheets to descend the building's facade.
Tragedy struck as two individuals jumped to their deaths amidst the chaos.
Necmi Kepcetutan, a ski instructor residing at the hotel, described the smoke-filled environment as guests navigated corridors to find safety.
The fire triggered an extensive emergency response, involving 30 fire engines and 28 ambulances, as rescue efforts were impeded by the building's cliffside location.
The fire also reportedly spread rapidly due in part to the hotel's wooden chalet-style exterior.
Authorities have detained nine individuals, including the hotel owner, as part of an ongoing investigation led by six appointed prosecutors.
This investigation aims to uncover the cause of the fire, which is still undetermined.
Preliminary reports by local media suggest that the building's architectural design may have exacerbated the fire's swift progression.
In the broader context of safety, the Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy had noted that the Grand Kartal passed a fire safety inspection in the previous year.
Nevertheless, this tragic incident has brought renewed scrutiny upon fire safety measures at tourist accommodations across Turkey.
Meanwhile, a separate gas explosion occurred at the Yildiz Mountain Winter Sports Center in Sivas province, central Turkey, injuring four individuals.
The incidents, occurring around the same time, underscore the critical nature of safety precautions in such high-density tourist facilities.
