The fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu’s Kartalkaya Ski Resort has devastated Turkey. The death toll has risen to 66, and 51 people are injured. Among the injured, one is in critical condition, while 17 others have been discharged from the hospital. Four individuals, including the hotel owner, have been detained in connection with the investigation.
The fire broke out at the Grand Kartal Hotel, where vacationers were staying. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Labor and Social Security Minister Vedat Işıkhan, Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu, and Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır visited the site for inspections. Following the inspections, Minister Yerlikaya announced the updated death toll and confirmed that 51 people had been injured. He also mentioned that 238 guests were registered at the hotel at the time of the fire.
Minister Yerlikaya shared that the fire was reported at 3:27 AM, with the first intervention taking place at 4:15 AM. A total of 156 vehicles and 428 personnel were involved in the operation. Regarding the cause of the fire, he emphasized that an administrative investigation was underway and that all aspects, including the hotel’s permits and inspections, would be thoroughly examined.
Investigation and Arrests
Four individuals, including the hotel owner, have been detained as part of the investigation. Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu added that one of the 51 injured individuals was in critical condition, while the rest were stable, with 17 discharged.
Hotel’s Safety Features
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy clarified that the hotel underwent classification inspections in 2021 and 2024, where fire safety and relevant permits were required and obtained. Despite concerns about the presence of fire exits, he confirmed that the hotel had two fire escapes.
Fire Origin and Impact
Bolu Governor Abdülaziz Aydın stated that the fire likely started in the restaurant area on the hotel’s ground floor. As of now, there have been no fatalities reported from the upper floors, where cooling efforts have been conducted. Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan also noted that partial structural damage was observed in the building.
Morgs and Cold Storage for Victims
As the death toll rose, there were reports that the morgues were filled, and the bodies were being stored in refrigerated trucks due to the high volume. Families of the missing guests anxiously awaited news at the morgue.
Investigation and Media Ban
A media ban has been imposed by the Bolu 2nd Criminal Court of Peace regarding the investigation into the fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel.
