At least 66 people died in a fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed.
The blaze, which started around 3:30 a.m. in the restaurant, also left at least 51 people injured, at least one of them in critical condition.
“We are in deep pain. We have unfortunately lost 66 lives in the fire,” said Yerlikaya.
Television footage showed flames engulfing the hotel’s roof and upper floors, with some jumping off the higher floors to escape the fire.
Provincial governor Abdulaziz Aydin said two guests died after jumping from the building. Other guests attempted to climb down using sheets and blankets.
Aydin’s office sent 30 fire engines and 28 ambulances to the scene.
The incident occurred while guests were mostly asleep. Several were believed to have been caught up in the blaze.
“The fire has now been extinguished. Cooling efforts are ongoing,” Yerlikaya added. He noted that 238 guests were at the hotel.
Failed Fire Extinguisher and Rescue
The hotel was situated on a slope, complicating firefighting efforts.
Necmi Kepcetutan, a ski instructor at the hotel, said he was asleep when the fire broke out.
“I fled after waking up and helped about 20 guests out,” he told pressmen. He said the smoke made it hard for others to find the exits. “I could not reach some of my students. I hope they are OK,” he said.
Witnesses reported that the hotel’s fire detection system failed. One guest told reporters, “We woke up during the fire but did not hear alarms.” People jumped from windows to escape the flames, with some urging others to find pillows for safety.
The government has appointed six prosecutors to investigate the incident.
The Grand Kartal Hotel has 161 rooms and is located in the popular Kartalkaya ski resort, about 300 km east of Istanbul – the Turkish capital. Other nearby hotels were evacuated as a precaution.
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