Turkish Ski Resort Fire Death Toll Rises, Suspects Detained as Investigation Expands
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The number of individuals detained in connection with the deadly fire at a Turkish ski resort hotel has increased to 14, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed on Friday. The fire, which broke out early Tuesday morning at the 12-story Grand Kartal hotel in Kartalkaya, northwestern Bolu province, claimed the lives of at least 78 people, including 36 children.
Erdogan emphasized his commitment to holding those responsible for the fire accountable, particularly those whose actions prioritized profit over safety. "Those who caused our nation this great pain due to mistakes, negligence, irregularities, and greed will definitely be held accountable in court," he said in a speech to his ruling party's local congress in Malatya.
The fire trapped many of the 238 registered guests inside, with survivors desperately trying to escape by jumping from windows or lowering themselves using sheets to avoid the smoke and flames. Dozens more were injured in the tragedy, which occurred just as Turkish schools began their two-week winter break.
Among the 14 suspects in custody are the hotel's owner, several staff members, and officials from the Bolu mayor's office. Erdogan’s government and the Bolu municipality, controlled by the opposition party, have exchanged accusations of blame over the incident.
Eight of the detainees, including the hotel’s owner and managers, the acting fire chief for Bolu, a retired architect, and kitchen staff, are set to face prosecutors for questioning, according to reports from HaberTurk television.
The fire is believed to have started in the restaurant area on the fourth floor of the wooden hotel structure, quickly spreading to the upper floors. Eyewitnesses have pointed to deficiencies in the hotel's safety measures, such as a lack of fire alarms, sprinklers, and proper emergency exits.
Funerals for the victims continued on Friday, with many mourners gathered to say goodbye to those lost in the tragedy. Among the victims were two young sisters, 6-year-old Dila Inal and 8-year-old Ela, who were laid to rest in Istanbul along with their 44-year-old mother, Defne Arkadas Inal. Their Georgian nanny, Laura Kurtanidze, who also died in the fire, will be buried in Georgia.