KARTALKAYA, Turkey (AP) – A devastating fire erupted at the Grand Kartal Hotel, a prominent ski resort located in Kartalkaya, northwest Turkey, resulting in at least 76 fatalities and 51 injuries. The incident occurred on January 21, 2025, just before the onset of the two-week winter break for schools, which typically sees hotels in the area filled to capacity with visitors.
Eyewitnesses, including hotel employees Esra Karakisa and Halime Cetin, described the chaotic scene as flames engulfed the 12-story building. People could be seen desperate for help, leaning out of smoke-filled rooms, while others faced the grim choice of jumping to escape the inferno. “There was no one around. They were calling for firefighters. They were breaking the windows. Some could no longer stand the smoke and flames, and they jumped,” Cetin recounted, reflecting on the horror of the situation.
The fire reportedly started around the restaurant section on the fourth floor of the wooden-clad hotel and swiftly spread to the upper floors. This rapid escalation of the fire complicated rescue efforts, particularly since part of the hotel is situated on the side of a cliff. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that at least nine individuals, including the hotel owner, have been detained for questioning as part of an investigation into the fire’s cause. Six prosecutors have been assigned to the case.
In response to the tragedy, flags at government buildings and Turkish diplomatic missions abroad have been lowered to half-staff, and a day of mourning was observed for the victims. As of late Tuesday, only 45 of the deceased had been identified. Among the injured, one was reported to be in serious condition, while 29 others received treatment and were later released from care.
The hotel had 238 registered guests at the time of the disaster, and the fire department received the alarm at 3:27 a.m., with their arrival delayed until 4:15 a.m. Rescue operations were hampered by the height of the hotel and the limited access available to emergency responders. Witnesses recounted attempts to assist those trapped inside; Karakisa mentioned that she and others tried to help by providing clothes and water to survivors, while others placed mattresses underneath windows to catch those who might jump.
Baris Salgur, a cleaner from a nearby hotel, shared his distressing experience during the event, recounting how individuals inside the building pleaded for help. "They were saying, ‘Please help, we’re burning!’ They were saying, ‘Call the fire department,’ we were trying to calm them down, but there was nothing we could do," he stated. He described a horrifying moment when a man on the upper floors was seen holding a baby and shouting for a mattress. Despite attempts to reassure him, the situation ended tragically, as the fire department arrived too late to save the infant, who succumbed to smoke inhalation.
The tragic incident has prompted an array of questions regarding fire safety procedures at the Grand Kartal Hotel, especially since it was reportedly inspected by fire authorities in both 2021 and 2024, with no negative findings related to fire competency reported. The investigation is ongoing as authorities seek to uncover the factors that contributed to this catastrophic event.
