Turkish athlete, professor, and journalist among 76 dead in Bolu hotel fire
Vedia Nil Apak (right), Atakan Yalcin (lower left), and Nedim Turkmen (upper left), victims of the Bolu hotel fire, Jan. 21, 2025. (Photo by news staff)
A fire early Tuesday at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in Turkish city of Bolu killed 76 people and injured 51, local authorities said.
The fire broke out in the resort’s restaurant area and quickly spread throughout the building. Despite 10 hours of firefighting, crews eventually brought the flames under control, continuing efforts to cool the affected areas.
Death toll rises to 76, says Interior Minister
Meanwhile, 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.
He also said that 9 people were detained in connection with the fire that broke out.
Among the victims were a Turkish athlete, a professor, and a journalist.
Fenerbahce Sports Club said on social media that Vedia Nil Apak, a 2014-born swimmer, and her mother, Ferda Apak, died in the fire.
Prof. Dr. Ozgur Demirtas, Sabanci University’s finance chair, announced on social media that Prof. Dr. Atakan Yalcin, dean of the Faculty of Business at Ozyegin University, also perished in the blaze.
Turkish media outlet Sozcu columnist Nedim Turkmen, who was also staying at the hotel with his family, has not been reachable since the fire.
Türkiye declared a national day of mourning following the tragedy. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the one-day observance after a Cabinet meeting.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, with a team of prosecutors and experts working to determine responsibility. Four people, including the hotel owner, have been detained as part of the probe.
Kartalkaya in Bolu, a popular winter destination, is located about 295 kilometers east of Istanbul.
