Prominent Turkish journalist Nedim Turkmen feared dead in Bolu ski resort fire

A fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, one of Türkiye‘s prominent ski resort areas. Initial reports indicate that 10 people have died, and 32 others have been injured.

Firefighters continue to battle the blaze, which started at 3:27 a.m. Among those present at the hotel was opposition Sozcu columnist Nedim Turkmen, who was staying there with his family. Efforts to reach Turkmen have been unsuccessful since the morning.

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.

No official statement on Nedim Turkmen’s fate

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced via social media that the fire began at 3:27 a.m. (GMT+03), stating that a team of 267 personnel was deployed to respond to the fire.

Following the incident, Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu, Interior Minister Yerlikaya, and Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy will travel to the site by helicopter to assess the situation firsthand, to gather detailed information about the extent of the fire and ensure that necessary measures are taken.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that a judicial investigation has been launched by the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the hotel fire in Bolu’s Kartalkaya, with six public prosecutors assigned alongside a team of five experts.

Efforts to control the fire and investigate its cause are ongoing and authorities have yet to release the identities of the victims.

Kartalkaya in the province of Bolu is one of Türkiye’s premier winter tourism destinations, attracting thousands of visitors during the ski season. The resort lies around 295 kilometers (183 miles) east of Istanbul.