Fire at Turkey Ski Resort Claims 66 Lives

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

• A fire at Turkey’s Grand Kartal Hotel claimed 66 lives.
• The fire began at 3:30 am in the restaurant.
• Guests used bed sheets to climb down or jumped out of windows.
• The hotel’s wooden cladding accelerated the fire’s spread.
• Authorities are investigating the fire’s cause.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Location and Details of the Incident

On Tuesday, a massive fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel, located in Turkey’s popular Kartalkaya ski resort. The blaze led to the tragic death of 66 people while 234 guests were present at the time.

How the Fire Started

The fire erupted around 3:30 am in the hotel’s restaurant and quickly spread through the 12-story building. Witnesses reported chaos as smoke filled the air, and the fire alarm system failed to operate, delaying immediate evacuation.

Struggles of the Guests

Panic-stricken guests climbed down using makeshift ropes made from bed sheets or jumped from windows to escape the inferno. Two guests died during their attempts to jump, while several others sustained serious injuries. A ski instructor at the hotel rescued around 20 people, but the dense smoke hindered further efforts.

Injury Count and Damage Assessment

Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu confirmed that 51 people suffered injuries, with one critically injured. The wooden cladding on the hotel’s exterior contributed to the fire’s rapid spread, causing severe damage to the upper floors.

Official Responses and Delayed Rescue Efforts

Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin acknowledged that the firefighting teams arrived late. Multiple witnesses complained that the delayed response worsened the tragedy. Investigations have been launched with six prosecutors assigned to uncover the fire’s cause.

Safety Concerns and Future Measures

Preliminary reports revealed that the chalet-style wooden cladding played a significant role in accelerating the fire. The hotel’s location on a cliff further hampered firefighting efforts. The incident highlights critical safety gaps in such resorts, particularly during peak travel seasons like Turkey’s school break when hotels operate at full capacity.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• Fire at Kartalkaya ski resort claimed 66 lives.
• Alarm system failure delayed evacuation, causing panic.
• Hotel’s wooden cladding accelerated the fire’s spread.
• Authorities must enforce stricter safety measures in resorts.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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