Four people have been arrested following a tragic fire at a ski resort that has currently claimed the lives of 76 people.
The devastating fire tore through the Grand Kartal Hotel in Turkey’s Kartalkaya ski resort early Tuesday (January 21), claiming the lives of at least 76 people and injuring 51 more, PEOPLE reports.
The tragedy unfolded at approximately 3:30AM local time, as flames engulfed the 12-story establishment nestled in Bolu province’s Köroğlu Mountains, according to local authorities cited by the AP.
Among those arrested in connection with the fire is the hotel’s owner, Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced on X (formerly Twitter).
Details surrounding the cause of the blaze remain unclear, though Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin speculated it may have started in the restaurant area before spreading rapidly throughout the building, the BBC reported.
Harrowing Escapes and Heartbreaking Losses
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and desperation as guests scrambled to escape.
“I saw a father with his baby in his arms asking for pillows so he could throw down his son,” a hotel employee told IHA news agency, according to CBS 19. “Luckily he waited for the emergency services who saved them.”
The employee – who asked to remain anonymous – recounted how two women on the top floor tragically jumped to their deaths. The floor reportedly housed a group of students.
Survivors shared chilling accounts of their escape. Guest Atakan Yelkovan said he and his wife were jolted awake by the smell of smoke. “The alarm did not go off,” he told IHA, as reported by the AP. “We tried to go upstairs but couldn’t, there were flames. We went downstairs and came [outside].”
He described seeing people hanging bedsheets from windows and some resorting to jumping. “People on the upper floors were screaming,” Yelkovan added.
Eylem Senturk, another guest, recounted escaping with her daughter while her husband was temporarily trapped. According to CBS 19, citing Anadolu news agency, her husband was able to jump to safety onto a lower roof.
Rescue Efforts and Investigation
The fire struck during peak ski season, with more than 230 guests staying at the resort, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.
Freezing temperatures and the remote mountain location reportedly slowed the emergency response.
Despite this, nearly 270 rescue workers arrived to bravely combat the blaze and assist survivors.
Officials have not disclosed whether any US citizens were affected. The US Consulate in Istanbul issued a statement Tuesday evening expressing condolences for the victims and their families.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a national day of mourning for Wednesday and pledged that those responsible for the tragedy would face justice. “Every stage of the investigation is carried out with great care and sensitivity,” Justice Minister Tunç assured the public.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the fire’s origin and hold accountable those responsible for the catastrophic loss of life.
Our thoughts go out to every person impacted by this tragedy.