Istanbul:
A tragic incident unfolded at a ski resort in northwestern Turkey as a fire ravaged a hotel, claiming the lives of 10 individuals and leaving 32 others injured, according to statements by the interior minister. Reports from witnesses described harrowing scenes of guests attempting to escape using ropes, with bedsheets hanging from windows and some unfortunate souls perishing in attempts to jump to safety.
Government officials and emergency responders swiftly mobilized to the Kartalkaya resort, situated approximately 170 kilometers northwest of Ankara, where the fire was eventually brought under control.
The fire originated in the 12-storey Grand Kartal hotel at around 3:27 am, as confirmed by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya. The wooden cladding of the building likely contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze, which occurred during a period of heightened occupancy due to a school holiday.
Tragically, reports indicated that among the casualties were individuals who had resorted to jumping from the hotel’s windows in a desperate bid to escape the flames.
Authorities speculated that the fire may have started in the hotel’s restaurant before quickly engulfing the structure. The hotel’s proximity to a cliff posed challenges for firefighters attempting to control the inferno.
In the aftermath, the hotel lobby lay in ruins, with charred remnants of furniture and shattered glass strewn across the floor. Concerns were raised about the structural integrity of the building, with fears of a potential collapse.
A survivor who recounted the ordeal to local media highlighted the absence of adequate safety measures within the hotel, including the lack of fire alarms, smoke detectors, or fire escape routes.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences for the lives lost in the tragedy and extended wishes for the swift recovery of the injured. An official investigation into the incident was promptly initiated, with Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc assigning six prosecutors to oversee the case.
As the affected individuals were relocated to nearby accommodations, the community grappled with the aftermath of the devastating fire, underscoring the need for stringent safety protocols in hospitality establishments.
(Please note that this article is based on information from a syndicated feed and has not been altered by NDTV staff, except for the headline.)
