Death toll from fire in Türkiye ski resort rises to 78

A deadly fire at Kartalkaya ski resort in Türkiye killed 78. Nine suspects detained as investigations continue into the tragedy.

A fire at the Kartalkaya ski resort hotel in northern Türkiye claimed at least 78 lives and injured others, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported on Tuesday. Of the injured, 17 have been discharged, while one remains in intensive care, according to Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu.

The fire that started in the hotel’s restaurant area, rapidly spread throughout the building, Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin stated. Firefighters brought the blaze under control after 10 hours, with cooling efforts ongoing.

Emergency teams, including firefighters, medical units, and disaster response crews from nearby cities, responded to the scene. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said an investigation is underway, involving six prosecutors and a five-member expert committee.

11 individuals, including the hotel owner, have been detained as part of the probe.

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy confirmed that the hotel had a valid fire safety certificate, as required by law, with regular inspections conducted by fire authorities.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences on social media platform X, wishing mercy for the deceased and recovery for the injured. At an AK Party meeting in Ankara, he pledged accountability and thorough investigations into the incident. F

oreign Minister Hakan Fidan also extended condolences and recovery wishes in a message on X.

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