Ski resort fire in Turkey claims six lives, injures 31
A drone-captured aerial view shows the hotel engulfed in flames at Kartalkaya Ski Resort in Bolu, northwestern Türkiye, Jan. 21, 2024. (AA Photo)
A tragic fire at an 11-story ski resort hotel in Bolu’s Kartalkaya region, northwestern Turkey, has claimed the lives of six people and left 31 others injured, state broadcaster TRT reported on Tuesday.
The fire began around 3:30 a.m. (0030 GMT) on the fourth floor, which houses the restaurant area, and quickly spread through the hotel. Firefighters have been working tirelessly to extinguish the flames.
Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin, speaking to TRT, confirmed the fatalities and injuries while noting that the hotel was hosting 234 guests at the time of the incident.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, but an investigation is underway. “The fire’s origin is not immediately clear, but it started on the restaurant floor,” the governor explained.
The injured have been transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment, while the hotel has been evacuated to ensure the safety of its remaining guests.
The incident has cast a shadow over the popular ski resort destination, particularly as winter tourism is in full swing.
