Hotel Fire at Turkish Ski Resort Claims at Least 10 Lives

Blaze erupts overnight in restaurant of hotel at Kartalkaya resort, with dozens more injured.

Bolu, Turkey – A devastating fire at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in northwestern Turkey has claimed the lives of at least 10 people, with authorities reporting that 32 others have been hospitalized with injuries.

The fire broke out overnight in the restaurant of the hotel, located in the Bolu province. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed the fatalities and added that 267 personnel from various public institutions have been deployed to manage the ongoing response to the disaster.

According to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin, the fire began on the fourth floor of the 11-story hotel at around 3:30 a.m. (00:30 GMT). Despite hours of firefighting efforts, the blaze continued to burn into the morning. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which started on the restaurant level.

Aydin also revealed that two of the victims died after jumping from the building in panic. At the time of the fire, there were 234 guests staying at the hotel. Television footage from the scene showed the roof and upper floors of the building engulfed in flames.

Kartalkaya is a popular winter destination for tourists, known for its ski slopes, and attracts thousands of visitors during the ski season. The resort is located approximately 295 kilometers (183 miles) east of Istanbul.