Deadly Fire at Kartalkaya Ski Resort Claims 76 Lives in Turkish Hotel Tragedy

Tragic Fire Claims 10 Lives at Popular Turkish Ski Resort Hotel

Update: The fire has now claimed 76 lives

A catastrophic fire swept through the Grand Kartal Hotel at Turkey's Kartalkaya ski resort early Tuesday morning, resulting in 10 deaths and leaving 32 people injured. The blaze, which began at 3:27 AM local time, rapidly spread through the 12-story structure, creating a night of terror for guests and staff.

The wooden-clad hotel, operating at nearly full capacity with 237 guests due to school holidays, became engulfed in flames that reportedly originated in the restaurant area. Three victims lost their lives after jumping from the building's windows in desperate attempts to escape the inferno.

A drone shot of the hotel shows the devastation caused. Credit: Getty Images

Emergency response efforts were significantly challenged by the hotel's precarious location, with one side backing onto a cliff face. Despite these obstacles, emergency services deployed substantial resources to combat the fire, though the wooden cladding of the building appeared to accelerate the fire's spread.

The incident prompted immediate action from Turkish authorities, with Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc assigning six prosecutors to investigate the cause of the devastating blaze. The health, interior, and culture ministers are scheduled to visit the site to assess the situation firsthand.

Kartalkaya, situated approximately 170 kilometres northwest of Ankara and 295 kilometres east of Istanbul, stands as one of Turkey's premier ski resorts. The affected guests have been safely relocated to nearby accommodations as investigations continue into the cause of this tragic incident.

Local authorities are working to support affected families while conducting a thorough investigation into the factors that contributed to the fire's rapid spread and the resulting loss of life. The incident raises important questions about fire safety measures in ski resort accommodations, particularly in buildings with wooden cladding.