A day of remembrance is being held in Turkey for the 76 victims of a fire at a hotel at a popular ski resort in northwest Turkey.
The fire broke out at the 12-story wooden Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu at 03:27 local time (GMT) during the busy holiday season, when 234 people were staying there. It took 12 hours to get it out.
An investigation into the incident has been launched and there have been conflicting reports as to whether the hotel meets safety standards.
Nine people were arrested, including the hotel owner.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is scheduled to visit Bolu on Wednesday, said those responsible for negligence that caused the fire “will be held accountable.”
Flags in memory of the fire victims will be flown at half-mast across Türkiye as the first funeral takes place.
Search and rescue teams are making final efforts to find the remaining bodies.
Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said that in addition to the deaths, 51 people were injured in the fire. One person is being treated in the intensive care unit, and 17 people have been discharged.
Footage circulated in Turkey showed linens used by people trying to escape the burning building hanging from the windows.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but Governor Abdulaziz Aydin Bolu said initial reports suggested the fire broke out in the fourth-floor restaurant area of the hotel and spread to the upper floors.
Governor Bolu said it took fire trucks more than an hour to arrive due to the hotel’s remote location and sub-zero temperatures.
The hotel was last inspected in 2024, and the Tourism Minister said there had been no concerns about fire safety at the hotel before Tuesday’s disaster.
However, the Turkish Chamber of Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) said regulations required an automatic fire extinguishing system, which photos of the hotel showed had not been installed.
It is unclear whether other regulations were followed, but based on the survivors’ statements, he added, “It is understood that the escape route could not be determined because the detection and warning system did not work.”
Mount Bolu is popular with skiers from the Turkish capital Ankara, about 170km from Istanbul, and hotels were operating at high occupancy rates at the start of the two-week school holidays.
Who are the victims?
Information continues to emerge about those who died in the fire, although some of the bodies have not yet been identified. At least two people died while trying to jump to safety.
Many of the dead include children and adolescents, and often multiple deaths from the same family occur.
Turkish Airlines confirmed this. Gera Sena Gultekin Died along with her husband, a businessman. Bilal Gultekin, And three children. The Boğaziçi Executives Foundation said two of Bilal’s siblings were also killed, while Turkish media reported that other family members had also died.
Dentist Dr. Burak Hasar says his colleague of 15 years Dr. Yasemen Boncuk Tüzgirayher husband Dr. Erhan Tüzgiray, and their children only and steel Everyone was dead.
The Turkish Wind Energy Association announced the deaths of two executives from one of its members, Inovat Energy Storage Solutions. They are the CEO of the company cantokkanhis younger brother Artil Ennis Talkanand their children Kemal and Atlas Khan.
Tarsus American College announces death of alumnus Mert Dorganhis wife emotionand their children blue and Dogan, and the grandson of another graduate. Omur Khotan.
The İELEV School Association announced the deaths of the students. Felin Gungorher mother zodiac signfather pride and brother Kerem. Eslem UjanicMr. Lee, a young chef at the hotel, also died.
Professor Atakan YalçınA person who worked at the Faculty of Business Administration at Özyeğin University and his daughter Elif Derinboth died.
Nedim TurkmenWriter for the Sozcu newspaper, his wife Aise Nevaand their two children (18 years old). dora wing and 22 years old great ancestorEveryone died.
TED Istanbul College announces death of students Alican Boduroğlu, his sister Elif NasAnd their mother too marbling.
TED Ankara University announced the death. Eren Bach On your social media accounts.
Dilara HermanogluAmong the victims was 24-year-old B, and her father, who went to Bolu to look for her, was treated by medical staff for a heart attack.
They know Nil ApakA 10-year-old swimmer from Istanbul’s Fenerbahçe Sports Club also died along with his mother. Perda.
Club management also spoke. Seren Yaman DoganThe wife and 17-year-old daughter of the Vice President of Bolu Association. moon, was murdered. Ceren was also the daughter of a prominent local businessman.
Mehmet Cem Dogan, OYAK Cement Bolu factory manager dies, his wife dies Ishemin Elif and daughter Ayse Maya.
A member of the Turkish Neurological Association said: Dr. Ahmet Chetiz, Killed along with his family.
