76 Dead in Devastating Fire at Grand Kartal Hotel on Bolu Mountain in Turkey

76 Dead in Devastating Fire at Grand Kartal Hotel on Bolu Mountain in Turkey

A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel, located at a ski resort on Bolu Mountain in Turkey, has claimed the lives of 76 people. Nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the arrests on Wednesday, which include the hotel owner, and raised significant concerns regarding the hotel's security measures. The government has appointed six prosecutors to investigate the fire, which is believed to have started near the hotel's restaurant area.

As the investigation continues, criticism is mounting against the government and local authorities. Eyewitnesses and news sources have reported that the hotel's fire detection system was non-functional.

Several of the 238 registered guests at the hotel have stated that no fire alarms went off during the blaze, and they were forced to navigate dark, smoke-filled corridors. Guests jumped out of windows one after another and fled.

Yerlikaya confirmed that 45 of the victims' bodies have been handed over to their families, and DNA testing is being conducted to identify the remaining bodies. "We are heartbroken, our hearts are broken," the minister told reporters outside the hotel. "But know that whoever is responsible for this tragedy will never escape justice."

The hotel management expressed deep sorrow and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. In a statement, they said, "We are cooperating with the authorities to uncover all aspects of this incident. Our hearts are broken, and we share this grief with you."

Meanwhile, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a national day of mourning on Wednesday. This incident occurred during the peak of the winter tourism season.

Kartalkaya, located about 295 kilometers (183 miles) east of Istanbul, is one of Turkey's most popular ski destinations, attracting thousands of tourists during the winter season.