Death toll rises to 76 in ski resort hotel fire in Bolu, Türkiye

A devastating fire broke out early Tuesday at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in northern Türkiye, leaving 76 people dead and 51 injured, local authorities reported.

The blaze started around 12:27 a.m. local time (12:27 p.m. GMT) in the hotel’s restaurant area, rapidly spreading throughout the 12-story building, according to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin.

Emergency response teams from Bolu and surrounding provinces, including firefighters, disaster units and medical personnel supported by helicopters, were dispatched to the scene.

Death toll rises to 76, says Interior Minister

Later on Tuesday evening Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that the number of victims rised to 76.

“Unfortunately the number of dead is now 76,” said Yerlikaya, updating an earlier figure of 66 dead and saying 52 of the victims had been identified so far.

Yerlikaya also said that 9 people were detained in connection with the fire that broke out.

Massive evacuation and rescue efforts

Approximately 230 guests were evacuated as fire crews battled the flames for over 10 hours.

Witnesses reported seeing some vacationers tying bed sheets together and hanging them from windows in desperate attempts to escape.

Firefighters used laddered basket vehicles to access the hotel’s upper floors, where the fire intensified. Cooling efforts in the area are ongoing.

Sozcu columnist Nedim Turkmen, who was staying there with his family, has been unreachable since this morning despite efforts to contact him.

Family members searching nearby hospitals have yet to find any trace of Turkmen. Known for his passion for skiing, Nedim Turkmen is a respected figure in economic circles, admired for his expertise and insight into financial data.

Official investigations underway

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had initiated a judicial investigation. Six prosecutors and a five-member expert committee have been assigned to determine the cause of the fire.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his condolences in a post on X, stating, “I wish Allah’s mercy to our citizens who lost their lives … and wish a speedy recovery to our wounded.”

President Erdogan extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the hotel fire at Kartalkaya through a statement on his social media account.

Emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing, Erdogan stated, “We have been following closely from the very beginning through our relevant institutions, and investigations have been immediately initiated.”

President Erdogan: “(Hotel fire in Kartalkaya) All necessary steps will be taken and are being taken to clarify the incident in all aspects and to hold those responsible to account.”

Key officials visit the scene

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, and Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) Chief Okay Memis traveled to the site to oversee the response efforts. They were joined by Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin, Bolu Mayor Tanju Ozcan, and other regional officials in a coordination meeting.

Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacir also visited the site, inspected the damage, and received updates from local authorities.

Premier winter destination in shock

Kartalkaya, situated in Bolu province, is a popular winter tourism destination, attracting thousands of visitors each ski season. Located approximately 295 kilometers (183 miles) east of Istanbul, the resort offers world-class skiing facilities in the Koroglu Mountains.

This tragic incident has left the area in shock, with tourists and locals mourning the lives lost and the devastation caused.

Condolences from leaders

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed sadness over the incident. “I extend my heartfelt condolences to my dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish nation, especially, the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this accident & pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” he said on X.

Hadja Lahbib, the EU commissioner for equality, preparedness, and crisis management who is currently in Türkiye, also 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.

Türkiye’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Leader Devlet Bahceli: “The fire that broke out in the early morning in a wooden hotel in Bolu Kartalkaya Ski Center has deeply saddened our nation and local people. I express my condolences to our beloved nation, especially to the grieving families of our citizens who lost their lives in the fire disaster.”

Bolu Mayor Tanju Ozcan: “It will go down in history as a painful day that will not be forgotten for years. My psychology does not allow me to pronounce the numbers.”

“We are talking about a hotel with 8 floors on one side and 13 floors on the other. Our friends are scanning each floor one by one,” Ozcan said, adding, “News is reaching us, but I don’t want to share it right now. I am very sad. It will go down in history as a painful day that will not be forgotten for years. My psychology does not allow me to pronounce those numbers. The ministers came here, they will probably announce them soon.”