Concerns Arise Regarding Safety Measures at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu Mountains
Turkiye authorities have detained nine individuals following a tragic fire at a ski resort hotel on Tuesday that resulted in the loss of 76 lives.
The arrests, declared by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, encompassed the hotel owner, as doubts surfaced regarding the adequacy of safety precautions implemented.
An investigation into the fire, suspected to have originated in the restaurant area of the 12-story Grand Kartal Hotel at the Kartalkaya ski resort in the Bolu Mountains, has been entrusted to six prosecutors appointed by the government.
Authorities are under heightened scrutiny as reports and witnesses indicate a malfunctioning fire detection system at the hotel.
Survivors recounted the absence of fire alarms during the incident, forcing them to navigate through smoke-filled corridors in darkness.
Gripped by panic, hotel guests resorted to desperate measures such as jumping from windows to escape the blaze.
Yerlikaya conveyed that 45 victims’ remains had been identified and returned to their families, while DNA testing is underway for remaining bodies.
“Our hearts ache. We are mourning,” the minister expressed to journalists outside the hotel. “Rest assured, those accountable for this tragedy will face justice.”
The hotel expressed profound sorrow and committed to complete cooperation with the investigation.
“We are collaborating with authorities to illuminate all facets of this incident,” the hotel stated. “Our hearts are heavy with sorrow for the losses, and we stand in solidarity with the grieving families.”
Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan decreed a national day of mourning in response to the catastrophe that unfolded at the peak of the winter tourism season.
Kartalkaya, situated approximately 295km (183 miles) to the east of Istanbul, garners significant tourist visitation during the ski season as one of Turkiye’s premier destinations.
