A fire at a ski resort in northern Türkiye killed at least 76 people and injured 51 others, Anadolu Agency reports citing Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
Of the injured, 17 were discharged from hospital while one remains in intensive care, Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu said.
The fire broke out at around 3.30 a.m. local time (0027GMT) in the restaurant area of the Kartalkaya ski resort hotel, quickly engulfing the building, according to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin.
It was brought under control after 10 hours of work by firefighters, authorities told Anadolu, while efforts to cool down the affected areas continue.
Emergency teams from neighboring cities, including firefighters, disaster response units, and medical teams supported by helicopters, were dispatched to the scene.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said an investigation into the incident was launched by a team of six prosecutors, along with a five-member expert committee.
Tunc stated that four people, including the owner of the hotel, were detained as part of the investigation. The investigations of the five-member expert committee on the cause of the fire are ongoing, and work is underway to determine the fault.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that a total of nine people were detained as part of the ongoing investigation.
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, speaking at a press conference, said the necessary documentation and checks were in place against a fire hazard. “The hotel has a certificate of fire safety issued by the fire department. This is already a mandate of the fire brigade. Regular checks have to be carried out by the fire brigade,” he added.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on X that he was keeping a close eye on events, and noted: “I wish Allah’s mercy to our citizens who lost their lives … and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.”
Later, speaking at a meeting of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Ankara, Erdogan said: “All necessary steps will and are being taken to clarify all aspects of the incident and hold those responsible to account.”
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in a message on X, extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
Hadja Lahbib, the EU commissioner for equality, preparedness, and crisis management, who is currently on an official visit to Türkiye, expressed her “deepest” condolences to Türkiye and to the families of the victims. “The EU stands in solidarity & offers support through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism,” she said on X.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said on X: “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families as a devastating fire engulfs the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu. We honor the incredible courage of the first responders battling the flames.”
Von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s support for Türkiye and its people in this “tragedy.”
Offering condolences to the victims and their families, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on X: “We stand with Türkiye in this moment of sorrow.”
Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament, also expressed sorrow on X, saying: “My thoughts are with the loved ones of those perished.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis wrote on X: “On behalf of Greece, I extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wish a swift recovery to the injured.”
Albanian President Bajram Begaj also extended “heartfelt” condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a swift recovery.
“Our thoughts are with President (Erdogan) and the Turkish people during this difficult time.”
Also expressing sorrow over the incident and extending condolences to the families of the victims, Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani said on X: “We stand with the courageous responders working tirelessly to save lives and assist those in need.
“We wish the injured a swift and full recovery. In this difficult time, our thoughts and solidarity are with President (Erdogan) and the people of Türkiye.”
For his part, Denis Zvizdic, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s parliament speaker, sent a telegram to Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus which reads: “I extend my deepest condolences to you for the fire that occurred in the hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort, in which 66 of your citizens died and over 50 were injured.”